Pay Attention

Pay attention…most of us look at the nighttime sky and see a bunch of stars and maybe a constellation or two, but an astronomer sees so much more.  It is not because he has sharper eyes, but because he has learned how to pay attention to the position of the stars, the swirls of the galaxies, and the minutest of details.

Jesus urges his disciples to pay attention as well while he explains what is going to happen to him – that he will be arrested and crucified.

Even today, Jesus is still asking us to pay attention. But how?  Here are a couple of things, we can do.

Be quiet.  Moth Teresa used to say that is is easier to hear the Lord speak in silence.  There is something about quiet places that helps us slow down and focus.  This may mean getting up a few minutes earlier to be with the Lord.  It may mean taking a walk outside and enjoying the quietness of nature.  Look around at the beauty of creation, and ask the Lord what is on his heart.

Be still.  Quite physical spaces are important, but let us face it – it is not always possible.  Even so, we can practice stilling our thoughts and turning to the Lord throughout the day.  For example, try mentally pausing for a moment every time you get a drink of water today.  Try to sense God’s presence.  He may fill you with peace or bring a Scripture verse to mind.  Do not be discouraged; if you do not always hear something.  It is about practicing and learning, not about getting it right the first time.

Part of being quiet and still may mean simplifying your life a bit or learning how to put the other aspects of your life in proper perspective.  Simplicity and focus are the keys to developing the sharp eyes of an astronomer.  They are what will help us see more than ” just a bunch of stars” and  instead, the endless constellations of grace that Jesus has for us.

Quiet. Stillness.  Simplicity. Try putting these into practice.  Jesus wants to teach you how to see him and detect the ways he is working.  The more you practice paying attention, the more you will be able to discover what he is doing and saying.

-word among us