People hear what they want to hear.
Children have selective hearing that picks up words like “ice cream” and ignores others like “chores”. When a friend asks, “How are you?”, they’re already hoping you’re going to ask them the same question. Our lifestyles are wired to be self-fulfilling, and serving others is a secondary agenda.
But what if what you have to say is important? So important, it could be a life changer? And what do you do if your audience refuses to listen?
Is Thing Thing On?
In the last few years, I’ve changed jobs, quit a relationship, and forayed into more writing, media, and public speaking.
With each new experience, I’ve tried to still the waters behind me. I had a burning desire to explain myself, to be heard.
It’s not you, it’s me.
But the truth is, it was them, too. And I don’t owe them an explanation.
I was called to move on, not to stand still.
I’m not advocating telling your boss off or always needing to be the center of attention. But you have a message to say, and if others aren’t listening or respecting you, it’s okay to move on and find your audience.
Is there anyone out there?
In fact, God instructs us to leave the past in the past.
“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words,
leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”
~Matthew 10:14, NIV
When God says “GO”, are you going? Or are you slowly dragging your feet, hoping He meant “later”? Hoping He meant “together”?
We all need to support our families. We all have a need to be loved. We all need to be heard.
It’s hard to make changes and keep going. It can be super scary to climb those steps when you don’t know what’s at the top.
Those Daunting Steps
But there are some situations when we need to take that leap of faith and trust that God knows more about our path than we do.
Stopping in hope someone else understands, trying to reason with people who choose not to hear, is telling God that while He may have a decent plan, it just doesn’t work.
I don’t know about you,
but I don’t want to ever be the one
to tell God
His plan won’t work.
Think on this: If you’re sharing your message but not being heard, it’s not you, it’s them.
Here’s another: If you’re compromising your message to stay where you’re at, it’s not them, it’s you.
Are you listening? Don’t drag them with you. Leave the unlisteners where they are. It’s okay to move on without them. God will lead you to where He needs you to be.
It’s hard, to be sure. Especially if you’re a people-person.
But it’s the right thing to do.
Your audience is everyone you come into contact with. Not just daily, but even those once-in-a-while folks you might not otherwise think of.
- Coworkers
- Friends
- Neighbors
- People at church and community functions
- When you run errands to the store or gas station
- Strangers on the phone or in the next car
Are you sharing your message? Are you actively seeking out your audience? If you’re doing your part but those doors keep closing on you, it’s time to find a new audience.
Do whatever it takes to live the message God has called you to live and to take care of the family He’s given you.
Pray for divine appointments
for Him to bring people you can encourage,
and for those who can encourage you.
A Pastor at my church used to tell everyone, “We’re all in this together.” And he was right. This life isn’t just about me, or you, or us, or them. It’s about us all.
We’re all in this together – Are you doing your share?
And it’s okay to venture out into the big, scary world when God tells you. Just don’t look back. Shake off the unbelievers and follow Him around the bend. You may not know what’s ahead, but He does. And He’s really glad you’re coming with Him.
Remember this: God never calls the equipped. He equips the called.
If He’s asking you to say-do-share something,
He’s going to give you the means to do it.
So get up, shake off that dust, and get walking.
You have something to say, and I want to hear it.
Your Audience is Waiting
What message are you giving the world this week?
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
A good post!
I recall my mother at times, caught up reading a book, and if you said something and she’d just say “yeah, uh huh”, you’d know she hadn’t heard a thing.
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My daughter used to tell me important information while I was driving. Needless to say, I hadn’t heard that either.
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