Listen

 

Does your family have any traditions, rituals, or habits? Like hugging before you leave, honking when you drive away, or praying before you eat? 

 

What about brushing your teeth or washing your hands? Would you call that a tradition or ritual?

 

Are there any benefits to having something be a routine? Are there any downfalls?

 

Recently Ezra and I watched the first 8 episodes of a show called “The Chosen.” These episodes are about Jesus calling his disciples to follow Him. For me, it was cool to watch this show that gave life to the people I have been reading about for decades. My brain knows these were real people, but I have a hard time picturing that time period, or imagining their personalities. Watching this show has helped me connect these real people with real characteristics. In one of the episodes, we learn about a Jewish prayer called the Shema (or Sh’ma). 

 

The words come from a passage in the Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4-9. I wanted to learn more about Sh’ma, and there is a lot of info out there. In Jewish tradition this prayer is sung twice a day. I saw a great word study on Bible Project, I’m gonna share:

 

 

A lot of times we don’t think about the depth of the words hear or listen. But in this prayer, the word used is kind of like how people now say “I see you.” Not just I see you, like as a person standing there…but I.SEE.YOU. How does it feel to be seen, really seen?

 

Not only does God really Shema YOU, but he wants us to Shema HIM. 

 

Do you think there could be a benefit to reading this passage every morning and every night? What are things you can do differently to really HEAR God?

 

-k