Scripture Reflection

Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came before him, into his ears.

"Into His Ears"

In relationship, there is nothing of greater value than feeling seen and heard. For your pain, joy, thoughts, and fears to be simply acknowledged is a gift that many times we take for granted. It is only when we don't feel seen and heard that life's struggles become most difficult to bear. When a particular group does not feel seen and heard, this creates space for injustice and disrupts peace. How many of the most vulnerable in our city have felt unseen during this pandemic? The elderly, the black and brown community, the poor...With less access to resources and healthcare, we've seen COVID take a toll on so many while the responses of our leaders fell short simply because people weren't heard. The lived experience of another can open our eyes and hearts to more compassion and empathy; hearing another can build trust and galvanize actions needed to repair what is broken. It is so powerful to be heard. These words from the Psalmist remind us that we are heard by God. It is especially comforting to know there is a God who hears your cry in times of distress, but the part that absolutely wrecks me is: INTO HIS EARS. My cry is heard by God right away. There isn't a lax moment or hesitation. My cry goes right away into his ears. You are seen and you are heard by the God of heaven, and in relationship with him you can find the answers, the compassion, and the love you need to begin the process of repairing whatever is broken in your life. Your cry goes right away: INTO HIS EARS.

Growth pushing through the concrete on my stoop :)