Listening Archives - Kristin Saatzer

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16:25 NET

Have you ever been to prison?

I have.

Not as a convict, though. I landed there as a college student involved in ministry. An experience forever planted in my head and heart. In Acts 16:25, we learn that Paul and Silas landed in prison (after being beaten) at the hands of the magistrates in a city called Phillipi.

Many of us know this story from Sunday School: As Paul and Silas worshiped, God freed them from prison via a mighty earthquake. It’s a fabulous plot line, isn’t it?

Yet as I was reading this story the other day, some pre-earthquake words jumped out, “the rest of the prisoners were listening to them”. Paul and Silas had an audience. Here they were- persecuted, beaten, imprisoned and singing? Wow.

I met beautiful souls during my summer in prison. Women trapped in bars, with the constant stench of cow manure permeating the hot wind. No earthquake set them free. Women singing and worshipping God while others watched and listened.

Have you experienced a prison of your own making? A prison made by another? We all experience suffering and times we’ve felt as if we were in jail or serving a long, severe sentence.

Paul and Silas could have played the victim card. Instead of worship, they could have whined over their circumstances. Instead, they chose to sing.

Never do I intend to downplay your pain or minimize your circumstance or trial. I know how painful life can be. Believe me sister! (or brother). But I believe this is key: Others are listening and watching us in our trials. Yes! Let’s be authentic with safe people. However, when others peer inside our prison bars, might they see us worshipping? Do they hear us singing? OR do we play the victim card? Do they hear us complaining?

These questions have burned in me all summer long as I have lived in a prison of emotional, financial and physical pain. As I “do my time”, I have people watching me: Four precious sons, their friends, my friends. There are neighbors, church acquaintances and many who do not know Jesus. I’m transparent with my people, however, I’m reminded that my trial is a huge opportunity to shine for my King. As a daily reminder of this, my phone’s screen saver says, “LORD, LET THEM SEE YOU IN ME.”

May others see Him as I serve out my sentence: in my broken places, in my tears and heartache, in my songs of worship.

Who is watching? Who is listening to you? Who are you influencing while you serve out your sentence? Your kids? Unbelieving spouse? Hostile coworkers? Hurting friends?

Difficulties are among God’s favorite display windows, providing a showcase for Christ and His character to everyone. ~Margaret Feinberg

The world is hurting and knows not where to turn. When we hurt, we know where to turn: Jesus- our strength, endurance, hope, and help.

Whatever kind of sentence you are serving, or jail cell you dwell in, join me in singing to God as people watch us, just as Paul and Silas did.

Verses for further reading:

Hebrews 12:1-2
Romans 12:12
Isaiah 61:1
Psalm 104:33
Psalm 142:7

Lingering in the season

Listen, Listen To Me…

“Why do you spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2

I went to my high school reunion a few months ago (memories of leg warmers and big 80’s hair running through my head!). The evening was filled with laughter, funny stories and reconnecting with old pals.

I also spent much of the evening listening. Under a full moon and San Diego breezes, I heard about dreams-gone-bad, regrets, and profound emptiness.

Maybe The Lord put hurting and open people in my path that night for His purposes: to pray for them and for me to search my own heart. I believe so.

As I drove home after midnight, I prayed for these dear people and pondered my own regrets, emptiness, and dreams-gone-bad.

Tears falling on the steering wheel, I cried out to The Lord- overcome and overwhelmed with gratitude. Remembering how he saved me and filled me. The girl who told God she had an aching hole that only He could fill.

The next morning, I poured through the book of Isaiah, it’s been my go-to book lately. I discovered Isaiah 55:2.

This scripture asks a poignant question, “Why do you spend money on what is not bread and labor on what does not satisfy?”

God asks this question to Israel via His prophet Isaiah. The people were nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon. They were imitating their captors- seeking to eat what was not bread and laboring in work that did not satisfy.

I find the prophet’s words relevant to our culture today. Thousands of years later, what questions might we ask?

Why am I working so hard and spending all this money to look impossibly perfect?

Why can’t I stop maxing out my credit card every month?

Why am I still struggling with overeating?

And so it goes….

Isaiah says, “Listen, listen to me…” Are we listening?

HEAR what Jesus says in Mathew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

My filling happened when I was twenty. But there are days (even seasons) when I feel vacant and seek the wrong food to satisfy. We, like the people of Isaiah’s day are surrounded by Idols and false gods. Often we turn to these instead of the only One who can gratify us.

What are you hungering and thirsting for?

Join me today in eating what is GOOD. Filling our souls with the richest of His fare. Let’s pray fervently for those dear ones who haven’t yet tasted The Bread of Life.

Yes Lord, we will Listen, Listen to You…