So far as I know, anything worth hearing is not usually uttered at seven o’clock in the morning; and if it is, it will generally be repeated at a more reasonable hour for a larger and more wakeful audience. ~Moss Hart
My Kindergartners were excited to share in 100’s Day. The hundredth day of school was fast approaching and they were to present projects of 100 items.
The local media found out and sent a camera crew for the nightly news. The other Kindergarten teacher was interviewed. I listened to her explain what was happening at the school.
Later, on the evening news, the footage had been clipped to say what they wanted everyone to hear.
It wasn’t a big change, but the next day at school, the other teacher was upset. “That wasn’t what I said!”
We hear what we want to hear or what others want us to hear.
The members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen were arguing with one of the disciples. But every time they countered a point, Stephen made a counter-point. Finally, they persuaded some false witnesses to stir up the rest of Jerusalem, spreading lies about Stephen.
The Jews would hear what they wanted to hear, but let’s start first with what they wanted to hear.
You’ve known it to happen.
You tell your child that you can discuss a pet later, and he swears you said,
“You can have a pet later.”
The doctor says you’re very healthy for a woman your age, but you need to lose 20 pounds. You tell your husband the doctor said,
“Everything is great; I’m very healthy.”
Your boss says there will be a short meeting before lunch, maybe 15-30 minutes, and you make an order-
“Yes, I need to pick up a pizza at 12:05.”
Or is it even bigger than that?
Spirit tells you to talk to that homeless man and you think he said,
“Give some money to the shelter.”
Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself and you think he said,
“Love yourself.”
God said worship me only, and you think he said,
“Worship me first.”
Two thousand years later, and our hearing hasn’t changed much.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
