A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking
near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were
filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners,
sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening.
Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."
His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in
all of this noise!"
"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said,. "I heard a
cricket."
"That's crazy," said the friend.
The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street
to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath
the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.
"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human
ears!"
"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It
all depends on what you're listening for."
"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in
this noise."
"Yes, it's true, " came the reply. "It depends on what is really
important to you. Here, let me show you."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the
sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they
noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on
the pavement was theirs.
"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's
important to you."
What's important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is no God,
and that he never speaks to us anymore. But, perhaps they can't see or hear him because
they aren't listening for him. They are living for themselves, not for God.
If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice him at work in your life and in
the world. And you'll be able to hear him when he speaks. Jesus, said, "For this
people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have
closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their eyes,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them... But blessed are your eyes
because they see, and your ears because they hear." (Matthew 13:15-16).
