Are You Paying Attention? - The Crosswalk Devotional - June 7 

Are You Paying Attention?
By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?...” Mark 8:18, NIV

In Mammoth Cave National Park, I was looking forward to seeing some wildlife. So, while hiking with a park ranger and a group, I stayed alert to what was happening in the woods around me. After about an hour on the trail, I finally noticed an animal nearby: a squirrel. It was the same type of squirrel I often saw in my backyard at home. When a squirrel appeared in my backyard, I usually barely noticed it. But when I spotted that squirrel in the park, I was thrilled! Reflecting on my wildlife encounter, I wondered why I’d been so excited by something familiar. It was simply that I had decided to pay close attention to what I was experiencing.

Have you ever looked at something and still missed it? Maybe you walked into a room to pick up your keys and couldn’t find them, even though they were in front of you in a pile of stuff on a table. Or maybe someone was talking to you, but your mind was elsewhere. So, you heard them but weren’t listening and couldn’t repeat what they told you.

In Mark 8:18, Jesus asks his disciples: “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical sight and sound; he was talking about spiritual awareness. The disciples had just witnessed Jesus perform miracles, such as feeding thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Yet still, they were missing something important that Jesus was trying to teach them. They were watching, but not seeing. They were hearing, but not understanding.

We can be like that, too.

We live in a world full of glimpses of God’s incredible work around us. God shows us evidence of his wonder daily, through answered prayers, acts of kindness that show his love in action, nature that reflects his creativity, and much more. But how often do we rush through the day without noticing? If we rush from one task to another without paying attention, we can miss out on God’s wonder, even though it’s all around us.

Just as Jesus points out in Mark 8:18, we have eyes that are meant for seeing and ears that are meant for hearing. We can only do so well when we’re paying attention. That involves being fully present. When we’re paying full attention, we start to notice all sorts of wonder we could otherwise overlook, such as a child’s laughter, a moving piece of music, or a Bible verse that suddenly speaks directly to our situation.

Jesus wants you to discover and fully enjoy the wonder he constantly brings into your life. Here are some practical ways you can pay better attention and not miss out on what God is doing:

• Start your day with a silent prayer. Before checking your phone or jumping into your to-do list, sit quietly for a few minutes and communicate with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see and hear him clearly throughout your day.
• Take “wonder walks.” Go outside without any devices, and take a walk where you intentionally search for something around you that inspires you with awe. If you’re paying attention, you will find something that shows God’s wonder.
• Take wonder breaks each day to ask God to show you something new. This simple question helps keep your heart and mind open. Pursue lifelong learning as much as you can. As you learn something new, reflect on what it teaches you about God’s love and wisdom.

Our world is full of wonder waiting to be discovered. You won’t miss it if you see with fresh eyes and listen with careful attention.

So, right now, are you paying attention?

Intersecting Faith and Life

As you consider how important it is to pay attention to the wonder of God’s work in your life, reflect on these questions:

• Can you remember when God was at work in your life and you didn’t realize it until later? What helped you finally see it?
• What are some distractions that often keep you from noticing God’s presence?
• How can you practice being more present in your daily routine?
• What is something simple you saw or heard today that reminded you of God’s presence?
• How can you create space in your day to listen more closely to what God might be saying?
  
  

Further Reading
Matthew 13:16
Proverbs 20:12
Romans 1:20
Psalm 65:8
Psalm 46:10

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Ippei Naoi

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

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