My older sister and her husband have been visiting this past week. It is difficult not to observe that we say everything twice. The first time the response is “What?” and the second time they and we get it. Alas, we are now reaching that stage described in Ecclesiastes 12.
“Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
In old age, your body no longer serves you so well.
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen.
The shades are pulled down on the world.
You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird-song.
Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past.”
One of Jesus’ favorite expressions was “Let him who has ears, let him hear.” It seems apparent that Jesus was in his early thirties when He said that. Of course, Jesus was speaking of comprehension and our response to the truths He was teaching. He wanted us to hear the Beatitudes and learn to be happy. He wanted us to read His comments to Nicodemus and find eternal life. All we need for happiness now and life evermore is found in His words. Let him who has ears let him hear.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 19, 2017
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