What if the Stoning of Stephen Could Improve Our Hearing?

/ Gina Haney

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,…

Acts 7:54-58

“cut to the heart”

“cried out with a loud voice”

“Stopped their ears”

Sound familiar?

Ever been hurt, frustrated, angered by someones words or actions? I’d say we have all been “cut to the heart”, Amen?

We all have a chapter in our story we wish we could rewrite. Someone was “cut to the heart”, someone “stopped their ears”, and likely, there was someone who “cried out with a loud voice”.

When our hearts are wounded our ears stop working.

Maybe there are some who are good at confrontation, anger management, communication… and this just doesn’t apply to them. I would say for the vast majority of us we can say at some point in our lives the hearing impairment of Stephens attackers has been our disability too. In fact, I would say we have all been on both sides at one time or another. We have stoned and we have been stoned.

Ever said, “I don’t even want to hear it.”?

When the story makes our hearts whence we like to turn the channel, and we’re pretty proud of ourselves too. I mean, we really did take the high road, right? There was a lot of things we would have liked to have said or done but we just physically or emotionally walked away.

She said they had differing opinions on what needed doing. While she was explaining her reason he turned and walked away. I would say his ears were failing him wouldn’t you? He may have felt he took the highroad but it sure didn’t look like it to anyone else.

How many relationships have been severed because someone failed to hear?

Who have we stoned in our church, our family, our home, because hearts were raw and hearing dulled?

Ouch! There are a few chapters I would like to rewrite. Thank you Jesus for your white out correction fluid. Amen?

I have failed others most when my heart was raw and my ears were dulled.

Here is some wisdom from my daughters third grade science book:

  • Listen for a sound.
  • Find the source of the sound.
  • Lay your hand on the source of the sound.
  • Feel the movement.

Because where there are sound waves there is movement.

movement move·ment (mōōv’mənt)
n.

  1. The act or an instance of moving; a change in place or position.

And where there is movement there is change.

change [cheynj] n.

1.  A transformation or modification; alteration:

What if we placed our hand on them and felt their heart; the source of the sound?

We will likely need a lot less of His white out correction fluid. Amen?

image

9 thoughts on “What if the Stoning of Stephen Could Improve Our Hearing?”

  1. As I sigh and tear up reading this, I completely empathize and understand the feeling. How many times have I been so angry that I walk, or even run away because I don’t care to hear anymore, or I don’t want to hear anymore.

    In our struggles, as husband and wife, there have been times I have just walked away. Partly because I wasn’t being heard, but also partly because I didn’t want to hear what he said either. I have found this about myself not only in my relationship with my husband but also with my closest friends, and family. When I am trying to counsel, or advise (which I probably do too much) I find that the other party gets defensive and then eventually shuts me out because they don’t want to hear my viewpoint or truth.

    And to take this to another tangent, I for one, have pretty quick to throw stones, or become enraged by the action of others. I am reminded now, of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” ESV
    I also think about when Jesus speaks about the Final Judgement in Matthew 25:31-46. Do we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty? Do we clothe the naked? Or do we judge them because of the decisions they may or may not have made to put themselves in the position of being in need. Here is the big one for me: Do we visit those in prison? Or do we judge them for the reason they were sentenced. Jesus says in Matthew 25:45 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'” ESV

    Thank you for your heart. Love you and yours!
    Susie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment