Volume 46   Number 5                                                            January 2004

In the early days of the American republic, Benjamin Franklin gave a stirring speech in favor of ratifying the Constitution. A heckler reportedly yelled, "Aw, them words don't mean nothin' a'tall! Where's all that happiness you say it guarantees us?" Franklin with his famous wit replied, "My friend, the Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself!"

The same could be said of listening. Jesus frequently admonished, "He who has ears, let him hear." Although we commonly speak of the five acts of worship-proclaiming the word, giving, singing, partaking the communion, and praying- listening is somehow neglected and at best viewed passively.

When I think of worship, I visualize Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel, The Creation of Adam. In that great ceiling scene, God the Creator reaches down with hand and energetic index finger to touch and quicken Adam. The gap between deity and humanity represents the power of creation. From man's perspective, the hand of Adam could describe our efforts to relate to God. The five fingers correspond to the five acts of worship-the media, the channels-whereby we reach back to God. God is the audience of our worship, but we speak to one another in song, pray for one another, and exhort one another. Acceptable worship necessarily involves active listening. When we worship God, we stand in awe of Him. To be acceptable, we must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I like to imagine that Adam's other hand cups the ear to hear every sound, follows verses and songs line by line, reaches deep in pockets to give, takes notes, breaks the bread, raises the cup, and lifts in prayer. The gap between humanity and deity, this time, is worship.

For the most part, however, we listen with partial discrimination. Listening experts estimate we remember about 50% of message content. Why? First, our hearing mechanism is not perfectly efficient. Research reveals that our attention to sound is broken every 2-5 seconds. Second, we have spare time to think while we listen. While most Americans speak around 150 words per minute, the brain deals with words at lightning pace. Instead of investing in the speech, we often waste the luxury in time to daydream. Third, we may be unprepared emotionally to listen-unable to listen because we are emotionally drained or unwilling to listen because we know we need to make changes.

What are the implications of these physiological capabilities? The break in concentration need not be an inherent disadvantage. Slight breaks remind us of our obligation to evaluate what we hear; momentary interruptions provide a safeguard against being mesmerized. Further, the breaks enable us to note other stimuli about us that might alert us to immediate danger. As for the speech/thought differential, the spare time provides a potential advantage, allowing us to scrutinize claims and evidence. Alas, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Overcoming psychological resistance, though, may be the greatest obstacle to worshipful listening: if the spirit is not willing, we may not even get to the pew!

Consider these suggestions the next time you gather with the saints to worship:

Worshipful listening exercises control (Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:7). Resist the temptation to sleep, to turn to other stimuli, to daydream. Prepare to listen by getting a good night's sleep prior to worship. Contemplate the words of the songs you sing, and meditate on the prayers led. Sit close to the front to limit distractions, and refuse to turn to see who came in or was carried out! Be an example of the believers, young people; when together, adore (worship) your Father, not your date.

Worshipful listening empathizes with communicators. Make a special effort to view the ideas from the speaker's perspective. Judge righteous judgment by overlooking delivery errors and by being open-minded to a different view. To empathize with a speaker does not mean adopting or endorsing a position, only that you have agreed to share and consider it for the moment, suspending evaluation until later (Matthew 13:10-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Worshipful listening evaluates content. Test evidence and speaker claims in light of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 4:2-5; 1 John 4:1). Turn to the passages mentioned. Mark those Bibles. Note the organizational pattern. Take notes, not as a courtroom stenographer, but instead capture major ideas. Avoid message manslaughter by suspending final judgment until you have the full picture. Interpret emotional language rather than react to it. Capitalize on the fact that thought is faster than speech.

Worshipful listening encourages congregants. The sound of pages turned, of amens uttered-the presence of affirming smiles and approving nods-enhance the atmosphere for worship and glorify God. No one is guaranteed an exciting worship experience. You have to catch it yourself! Speaking accomplishes little if there is no listening (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

Worshipful listening evokes change. While the acts of worship prompt you to think, in the final analysis, conversion only takes place when individuals internalize the messages and respond. An introspective look at self depends on active listening (Hebrews 3:7, 15; 4:7). If we actively listen, multiples responses, both private and public, will occur.

In Puritan churches, they used to have ushers who would rudely awaken with long poles those dozing. We remember Eutychus (Acts 20:9) because he fell to sleep in church services, fell out a window, died, and was raised to life. Perhaps the Apostle Paul, who had spoken to midnight, felt a special degree of mercy in addition to long-windedness. There are New Testament examples for both sleeping and lengthy preaching in worship, but there are perils for each. The noble Bereans practiced worshipful listening (Acts 17:11).

Don't turn a deaf ear to the demands of the Divine! Don't be guilty of saying, "I didn't catch that." Instead, glorify your Father through worshipful listening.

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