One of the world’s finest violinists performed Bach and Schubert in a subway, and over a thousand commuters hurried right on by. Some wore ear buds or chatted loudly into their cell phones while others were rushing too fast to pause for Joshua Bell’s unexpected treat. Many people did stop for lottery tickets, but even as they waited in line, no one turned around to enjoy the violinist who 3 days before had sold out an auditorium of $100 seats.
We can also be so immersed in the banal flurry of life that we fail to hear the music of God. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God,” wrote David. “The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known” (Psalm 19:1-2). Every sunrise, cloud, and flower is a revelation from God. Do you hear it?
Psalm 104:1-35 recounts the many ways God sustains our lives. Your job, church, and faithful friends are God’s grace notes to you. Can you hear them?
Most important, John declares that Jesus is God’s light to the world—but “the world didn’t recognize Him.” It’s easy to doubt your beliefs when you’re surrounded by people who don’t hear and see Jesus as you do.
Only seven people stopped to listen during the 43 minutes that Joshua Bell performed. One of them sat by a shoeshine stand and looked around, bewildered at the other commuters scurrying past. When interviewed later, he said, “Other people just were not getting it. It just wasn’t registering. That was baffling to me.”
Few people notice that their lives are filled with the rhythm of God’s love. Put breaks in your day—come to a full stop—and listen.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 19:1-27
More:
Read Psalm 19 and 104 to learn the many special and ordinary ways we can hear God.
Next:
What’s preventing you from hearing God’s presence in your life? How can you encourage others to hear what you hear?
eppistle on August 27, 2011 at 7:45 am
What a great way to illustrate that when we fail to rejoice in the Lord and His works, we fail to enjoy the life that God offers us. The music of God’s love is playing in the starry night, in the air I breathe, in the tiny wild flower, in the smile of a friend, and most clearly in the chapters in the Bible. But too many times I’m so self-absorbed that I walk right by His attempts to serenade me. What a waste – what a sad way too live…
fieldlily on August 27, 2011 at 8:31 am
I agree! There is so much beauty and evidence of God and His love around us. Yet we let our thoughts, worries and lives drown it out or blind us. Thank you for this reminder of God’s display of love in the world.
GChoo on August 27, 2011 at 8:50 am
Mike, thanks for the reminder.
It is so true. In this hustle and bustle of the modern world, most people are so busy acquiring material things (wants more than needs) that we have lost the sense of listening and the sight to notice and admire the wonder of God’s creation.
I am blessed with my church for providing an evening prayer worship ministry, besides the morning worship, on Sunday to connect my heart with the Holy Spirit – to refresh, inspire, renew and transform my senses to the wonder of God’s mighty creation and works. We spend time with God in worship, sermon and in meditation, be prayed for and to celebrate together and praise God for all that He has done for us.
I must say the busyness in our lives can take us away from appreciating the good things, our family and friends around us. Each day, i am still learning to appreciate the things around me. And it has helped me to see life in a different perspective from before. HAPPIER AND MORE CONTENTED.
Yes, we need to remind ourselves to take breaks, to stop and listen.
alamolccc on August 27, 2011 at 9:02 am
I live in southern New Mexico right up against the Sacramento mountains and I walk 6 days a week. When there are thunderstorms in the area we get a painting of the sky that has such vibrant colors as the sun is just starting to rise. The colors range from red to yellow and the many oranges, pinks, and corals that God uses is a lot more than I can describe. His sky becomes a canvass and I am surprised at how many people I have to point it out so that won’t miss it. Even tho they are right in the middle of one God’s creations they act as if they don’t have time to see. I wanna just yell at them to take a minute and look up and enjoy God’s masterpiece.
winn collier on August 27, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I’ve been thinking much about my life and my desire to be an un-busy person, pastor, dad, friend, husband. I love this story. Thank you.
roxanne robbins on August 27, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Another reason people may have sped past Joshua Bell is because they didn’t expect an accomplished museum to be in subway tunnel. It’s also a more natural tendency to miss seeing God when He’s making Himself known in through the unexpected.
Gee Alc on August 27, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I think that one of the main reasons we miss out on God’s music, work, love etc is our focus. We often focus on our Goals, our dreams, our life… if only we could be selflesss for a moment…we would see that God has been around us all along. If only we could shift our focus on His desires, that we may realize that each action should not be for our personal goal but for our Lord’s will. In return we may be allowed to feel immensely fulfilled, like if i passed by and realized that it was that great musician i would in turn feel honor and appreciation. God bless you all.
mike wittmer on August 27, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day–God’s appointed day for us to rest and worship and hear his voice. I’m going to make sure that I slow down extra so I don’t miss what he is saying to me.
wilsonalpho on August 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Hey all, I am new to this website and found myself a great encourage,where people of God share with themselves and pray.
I have a problem with myself. With my family.
My parents doesnot consider me for any thing. I expect some importance for me. I expect them to love me. My dad thinks that only my brother loves them not me. But honestly i never hate them. They are making me to hate them. so many things happen in house and they never share with me.
My father curses me. my friends hate me.
I think i am very arrogant and stubborn to them all.
i want my life back, where i used to love everyone, where i used to love God. I am really confused as also i am stuck with worldly pleasures.
Please Pray for me. I want to enjoy God’s love and his faithfulness.
regina franklin on August 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Dear Mike,
A great illustration. I wonder how much my “concerns” or “worries” would fall into place if I spent more time focusing on the wonder of who He is. How easily we fall into focusing on the prayers God isn’t answering and the problems that seem to stare us in the face rather than seeing the wonder of His hands and His voice all around us.