Exodus 17:8-16 records Israel’s conflict with Amalek. Moses is leading; Joshua, Aaron, and Hur have key roles.

Moses is the one chosen to lead Israel.
Joshua is leading the charge and overwhelmed the enemy.
Aaron and Hur are on the hill with Moses.

When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed. When Moses lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Like me, Moses is human and he got weary of holding up his hands. So Aaron and Hur were essential players in the victory. Whenever they noticed Moses’ hands drooping, they held his hands up for him. Their victory over Amalek was a team effort.

 

On the Emmaus Road the afternoon of the resurrection, Luke records how Jesus initiated a relationship with two downcast and very discouraged walkers. He came to them, walked with them, and initiated conversation. He asked questions, and listened to their sad story. Luke 24:13-32.

Jesus listened.
Jesus met them where they were on their journey.
Jesus stayed with them until they recognized (not until they understood) him.
And so much more.

I finished reflecting on Luke 24 and my teaching on listening to God with the ladies and returned to the round table I was sitting at with my two friends who came with me and our five new friends.

I taught on listening. My friends, Janine and Denise, embodied it at our table.

Around the table we were getting to know each other and very vulnerable stories poured out.

As Nancy* trusted us with her hard reality, her eyes brimmed and threatened to overflow. Janine leaned forward, connected with her eyes, and asked, May I share with you what I’m hearing? An affirmative nod. Janine listened to Nancy’s circumstances, more importantly she listened to her heart. Janine heard her fear, her shattered dreams, her confusion, and that’s what she echoed to Nancy. There were no solutions, no suggestions. Now Nancy’s tears did overflow. Janine and Nancy connected deeply.

On the other side of the table, Connie* shared her hard reality. Her infant was supposed to be cradled in her arms at the retreat. But in her 38^th week of pregnancy, his heart stopped beating.

I’m so thankful Denise sat next to her. Denise’s words offered her own story. She too has little ones waiting for her in heaven. There were no platitudes. Just the reality that she understood. Her similar experience communicated to Connie that she was not alone. The link to Denise’s story is in the comments.

Janine heard Nancy’s heart. Denise offered story. As I listened in on both exchanges, God taught me and deepened my understanding about listening. Their gifting complimented my teaching.

Janine and Nancy held up my arms that morning and fleshed out my teaching. They were my Aaron and Hur. Their responses supported what God called me to do. I am so thankful.

“Listening to God calling us his beloved
is like discovering a well in the desert.
Once you have touched the wet ground,
you want to dig deeper.”
Henri JJ Nouwen

 

“… ‘This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.’”
Matthew 17:5

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2022