In the first year of marriage, the man speaks, and the woman listens.
In the second year, the woman speaks, and the man listens.
In the third year, they both speak, and the neighbors listen.

Listening is essential.

The parable of the sower reflects our ability or inability to listen and respond to God’s Word. The parable’s point is that whenever God’s Word is communicated, the results depend on the fertility of the listener’s heart and how well they (we) listen to God’s promptings in everyday life.

January 2007,  in a very busy Metro Station in downtown  Washington, a man played six Bach pieces on the violin for about 45 minutes. Thousands of people entered the Metro station as the musician worked through a set list of classical masterpieces, but only a few stopped to listen. Some dropped a dollar in his open violin case. At the end of 45 minutes, the musician collected 32 dollars.  

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world.
Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston, with an average of $100 a ticket.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in a Metro station, organized by the Washington Post, as part of a social experiment about people’s perceptions, tastes, and priorities. One of the conclusions from this experience was:   If we cannot recognize or have time to listen to one of the best musicians in the world, how many other beautiful things are we missing?

In today’s world, listening has become almost a lost art. What happens to the Word of God?

Today many things distract us from what is essential. Many noises around us prevent us from hearing each other and forming meaningful relationships.

We keep up with many things that do not last forever. With the advent of modern technology, we have a lesser ability to listen. There are iPhones, iTunes, and many more. There are tons of books to read that can be available on our I pad with just a click of a button. We read different fiction stories. However, we don’t have an interest in reading the book of our own life and the natural and exciting stories of the people we love. We do not find time to listen because noises are all around us.

We also have less ability to handle patience because we are used to fast-tracking a process. Before producing results, we undergo the process from step 1 through the last step. We made things from scratch. Nowadays, everything is easy. Everything is readily available. For example, we just have to microwave or push the button, and food is ready. Markets are flooded with products that are made ready for us.

We make things easier, which may be good in some ways. But how much do we lose in building character and fostering a more substantial relationship? How do we encourage our children to be persons of character and value?

Like the seed planted in soil, growth is a process; it is not automatic. It needs time, patience, and hard work. It requires us to listen. It needs attentive love. When we are not careful, we may be unable to cultivate a sense of ingenuity and creativity. 

The seed we grow may not bear fruit. Like the other seeds, it stops increasing at specific points and perishes because we do not provide a good foundation for its roots.

We can only see what God sees and values when we listen to him and his promptings. Seeing and hearing come together; those who see what God sees and are fruitful in their lives are prompted to listen to God’s Words. This is the way we cultivate the seed of life.