May I have your attention

Why do speak in parables? That was the question asked by the his friends. Speak plainly, they seemed to say. But Jesus made it very clear that the heart of the people is gross, 'they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.'

Yet the Lord desires to bring healing in our lives and lead us to conversion from sin and death. How to get our attention? How to get us to see and listen? How to shake or shock us out of apathy?

With the Hebrew people he had to make sure that they paid attention, whether it was lightning and thunder, or a visible, dense cloud, or a smoke covered mountain top. He did this to say, look, I'm here. Pay attention. Listen and learn. Do we need these signs to pay attention? Or will his Word be enough?

Since I have posted this from the NPM convention in Louisville, let me say that there are nearly 3,000 musicians, choir leaders, and people involved in ministry. The program has been exhausting but great. Like at home, the heat is oppressive. But Louisville has been a gracious host, with wonderful Southern hospitality. In the opening session, in the home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, they had the trumpter from the Downs call us to the starting gate. Then we sang My Old Kentucky Home, and were welcomed by the local church and civic community. It was great.