What We Overhear

There were only two checkout lines open.
The line of customers waiting to be checked out was getting longer by the minute.
The customer service desk allowed customers to check out there.
For the most part, people made the best of it.

Some people talked to each other in line even though they never met before.
I happened to see someone I knew who was waiting three people ahead of me.
We talked a bit over the heads of the people between us.
Talking around people feels a bit uncomfortable since it appears to be rude.

Some people seem oblivious to others around them.
They are the ones who hold private conversations on their cell phones.
They are not talking quietly.
They are not telling the person on the other end that they will call them back.

They are conversing about private matters in public.
For some reason people talk louder on cell phones.
It’s almost like the commercial that repeats, Can you hear me now?
I think people fear that the reception is bad and they will not be heard.

It is uncomfortable to hear a person’s argument.
It is none of our business about the problem at the office.
It is not our concern what is on the menu for dinner that night.
It is unkind to speak badly about someone else privately, let alone publicly.

Everyone within earshot heard the entire conversation.
It was spoken loudly and animatedly.
It was as if the rest of us were invisible.
It truly did not matter that private laundry was being hung out to dry in public.

In those situations, there is nowhere to go.
In that setting, those around the person on the cellphone becomes an eavesdropper.
An eavesdropper who wants no part of the conversation.
An eavesdropper who in reality is an unwilling listener.

I don’t think the person on the phone is trying to be malicious.
I am sure that their volume is not meant to be obnoxious.
I am certain that whatever the matter is, the situation at hand is their first priority.
First priority or not, other people are being pulled along for the ride.

I saw the person receive looks from other customers.
It didn’t seem to matter.
Those people received a nasty look in return as if to say, This is my conversation.
A look that non-verbally said, You can turn your ears off if you don’t like it.

I was so glad to get out of that line.
I learned far more than I wanted to know.
I know a one-sided story of someone I never met.
From my vantage point, the person on the other end of the phone never got a word in edgewise.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. During that night the Lord said to Gideon “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the shore. Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon, son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” (Judges 7:9-15)

Gideon was the one whom God called a mighty warrior, while he was shaking in his boots.
Gideon was the one who doubted his ability to fight God’s battles.
How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh.
I am the least in my family. (Judges 6:15)

God allowed Gideon to eavesdrop on a conversation.
God allowed Gideon to hear that the victory would come from him.
The victory would come from weak Gideon simply because God is strong.
The victory would come because God determined it would come.

God loves to do His work through weak people.
God loves to do His work through people who could never accomplish the task on their own.
God loves to show His power through the most unlikely person.
God equips those He calls.

It’s just that sometimes we need help in the confidence department.
Sometimes we need encouragement to take another step.
Often we doubt our ability because we know who we are down deep.
We are shaking in our boots yet God calls us a mighty warrior.

And mighty we are when we are in Him.
And capable we are when He calls us to the task.
And victorious we are when we fight in His strength.
And humble we are when we realize what He accomplished through us.

It would be wonderful if we all had scenarios like the one Gideon experienced.
It would give us such a boost if we knew ahead of time how something was going to turn out.
However, we can eavesdrop on God by reading His Word.
We can hear our own voice repeat His promises and His assurances.

Go ahead!
Eavesdrop on God.
Read His Word out loud.
Hear what He has to say about you, mighty warrior!