What are you listening to?
Opinion
Recently, a bloke next to me in a plane asked ‘what are you listening to?’. Ever since, I have often thought about that question, and it’s a good question for Lent.
It strikes me that what we listen to shapes our response. Listen to fearful things, we might become fearful. Listen to hopeful things, we might become hopeful.
There is a lot of noise and anxiety in our world at the moment: for some fear can certainly drown out hope. For me, Lent asks the question ‘to what am I listening?’. Am I fasting from fear and feasting on hope?
Listening is an art, a skill and a practice that shapes our journey through life. We are bombarded with countless voices every day – from society, media, peers and even our own internal dialogue. Some of these voices uplift and guide us while others mislead and cloud our path. Discerning the right voices to heed is essential for living a life of purpose, hope and faith. The hymn, Pilgrims of Hope, the offical hymn for the Jubilee Year, offers a meditation on this journey, reminding us of the ultimate voice that should direct our steps: the voice of God.
The hymn begins with an evocative image: ‘Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you.’ These words express an unwavering trust in God, the source of eternal life. In a world filled with fleeting opinions and ever-changing trends, this hymn invites us to anchor our trust in something unchanging. It asks us to filter through the noise of human perspectives and find clarity in divine wisdom. But how do we discern God’s voice amid the chaos?
Listening to the right people and thoughts requires humility, patience and a willingness to seek truth rather than comfort. There are times when we are drawn to voices that tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. We may listen to the loudest opinions, the most charismatic speakers or even the echoes of our own fears and doubts. Yet, true wisdom often speaks in whispers, in moments of quiet reflection, in the stillness where God’s voice gently guides.
‘Ev’ry nation, tongue, and people find a light within your Word. Scattered fragile sons and daughters find a home in your dear Son.’
This verse reminds us that God’s Word is a beacon for all, transcending cultural and personal biases. It unites people from all walks of life, calling them to a home in Christ. If we allow our thoughts to be shaped by Scripture and the teachings of Jesus, we will find a clarity that surpasses human understanding. This is why it is crucial to listen to voices that align with truth, love, righteousness and compassion.
Too often, we give undue weight to voices that breed division, despair, and self-doubt. Social media, for instance, can be a breeding ground for negativity, comparison and misinformation. The people we surround ourselves with can also influence our thoughts, for better or worse. The question we must ask ourselves is: do these voices draw us closer to hope and truth or do they pull us into fear and confusion?
God, in contrast, speaks with tenderness and patience: ‘God, so tender and so patient, dawn of hope, you care for all. Heav’n and earth are recreated by the Spirit of Life set free.’
God’s words are never meant to condemn but to restore. When we attune our hearts to His voice, we experience a recreation of our minds and spirits, a renewal that aligns our thoughts with His eternal wisdom.
One of the ways we can cultivate this discernment is through prayer and meditation. The practice of stillness allows us to sift through the noise and recognise the voice of truth. Scripture, too, provides a foundation against which we can measure the words we hear. If a thought leads us toward love, patience, humility and hope, it is worth listening to. If it leads us toward division, pride or despair, we should question its source.
The hymn concludes with an image of divine movement: ‘Raise your eyes, the wind is blowing, for our God is born in time. Son made man for you and many who will find the way in him.’
God is not distant; God is active in our lives, continuously calling us toward the right path. The wind of the Spirit blows, guiding us if only we are willing to listen. The Lord Jesus came into the world to provide the ultimate example of whom and what to follow. When we find our way in God, we no longer wander aimlessly; we become pilgrims of hope, moving with purpose toward the light.
To be a pilgrim of hope means choosing carefully the voices that shape our journey. It means rejecting thoughts of fear and unworthiness, choosing instead to listen to words of life and encouragement. It means seeking wisdom in Scripture, in prayer, and in the counsel of those who reflect God’s truth. Above all, it means tuning our hearts to the voice of God who speaks not to condemn but to guide, not to instil fear but to awaken faith.
The world will always be full of competing voices. Some will promise easy answers, others will sow doubt and division. Yet the Jubilee hymn reminds us that there is only one source of life that has no ending. As we walk our path, may we listen to the voice that leads us to love, hope and truth. May we, like flames burning bright, lift our song to the One who never fails. On life’s path, may we trust in Him.
May we sing deeply this Lent and this Jubilee Year: ‘Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you.’
The Jubilee is now 25 per cent complete. If you or your parish are not aware of this hymn it is not too late to come to know it. It is gem, and remember, God is good, good indeed.
Wishing you all a happy and blessed Easter in this Jubilee Year.
