I Will Share this Message as long as I Live

 Categories : A Culture of Listening

 

I’ve completed a circle 20 years in the making. The day before my 18 birthday, I traveled to the island of Sardegna as a student. God recently (and unexpectedly) brought our family back to Sardegna as missionaries, and I just spent my 38 birthday here. My extended family in the US spent that day celebrating my Grandma’s 100 birthday.

These milestones (and the reality that we have very few days left on the island that’s become home) got me thinking.  About my legacy, and the message burning inside me. I have to share it with everyone who will listen. I hope to live a long life, and share many facets of this message. But since we can’t number our days, here’s what I have to tell you before I die:

shema

Two years ago, God led me to the phrase: “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” and told me that discovering and teaching the treasure hidden in these few words is my life’s work. Since then, He’s brought these words to life for me in ways I scarcely imagined, starting with the first one. The Hebrew idea שמע, usually translated ‘hear’ or ‘listen’ in English, is more than just a way to pass the time while you’re waiting to talk. The original idea is active and dynamic. It can mean ‘listen and do’, ‘hear and respond’, or ‘give your full attention and act’. Our family practices listening to each other with our whole selves, and listening (and responding) to God with our whole lives.

Let’s dig deeper to make this more tangible:

Each ancient Hebrew character represents a sound and an idea.  Over time they became unrecognizable, but looking at the original symbols that formed this word still yields vivid insights.

 ש

The first character in the word ‘Shema’ originally looked like this:  ש  It represented teeth, and meant sharp, press, and cut.

מ

The middle character originally looked like this מand represented water.  It also represented mystery and the unknown, since it’s hard to judge the depth or contents of water by looking at the surface.

ע

The final character looked like this ע and represented an eye.  It meant see, watch or understand.

Combine these three characters gives us the meaning of the word.  So when God says שמע , He might also be saying

“Press in, understand the mystery”

“See sharply into the unknown”

“Cut through the obscurity to see clearly”

Listening requires awareness, curiosity, bravery.  When we listen to each other, we discover God’s image reflected all around us.  When we listen to God, we discover the treasure of who He is and the truth of who we are.

Here I am. Poised at the edge of the water, searching the depths.  All I can see from here is that there’s more than enough treasure for everyone willing to listen and respond with their whole life.  Are you in?



Sign up for Free Faith-Building Resources Here:

Facebook Comments
  • Sandy Kerr

    Hannah,
    Today, I’ve read your Hebraic insights on Faith and Schema (hear). I’m hearing from God through you today. Thank you. I spent a year studying James where “faith” was a major topic, and now for the last 6 months I’ve been in the first half of Hebrews where “hearing” is such a critical ingredient in the message. Seeing these words in such concrete terms rather than some abstract thought is very helpful.
    I thank the Lord for all the ways He speaks to us! Thank you for listening to Him and sharing with us.

    • mlekallio

      Thanks for your encouragement Sandy. It really helps me to understand these concepts in more tangible ways, so I’m glad you found it helpful too. Shalom!

  • Stephanie Jans

    Hi Hannah! Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the explanation. I am going to write it down again. I know I need to grow in this area too. I feel as if when you live alone there isn’t anyone to talk to (present most of the time) so it’s easy to want to be the one talking when you do interact with someone. I crave relationships like many of us and it’s nice to dialogue with people too. I know you touch on a KEY aspect of what is required in growing as the larger Body of Christ. It’s sadly lacking on so many levels in our society. One person (whom you know) loves to talk and is not a very good listener himself. I have to constantly have GRACE. Especially when I talk and he just goes on talking about himself. Arggggg. Not a huge deal. AGAIN it probably at least in part goes along with being single and living alone!! Praise God that the more He leads us into a state of total whole body “wellness” where everything is in sync we CAN HEAR HIM MORE. Keep going Hannah. There is POWER and great UNDERSTANDING in all of God’s LIVING WORDS. He wants to breathe these things into us EVERY day!! Thinking and praying for all of you!!! Let us know how we can help………

    • Hannah Kallio

      Hi Stephanie, Thanks for the encouragement. I find that the people who seem to be the worst listeners usually need the gift of your listening the most. And it’s a gift that you’re free to give- or not.
      But listening doesn’t mean you’re a doormat that just sits there while the other person goes on and on. There is a way to interrupt that actually makes you a better listener and helps the speaker express themselves. We’ll cover that here too.

      • Stephanie Jans

        Hey thanks Hannah! I sure could use tips on how to do this. Looking forward to it. Think of you guys often especially now that the Fall Festivals are soon upon us. I can’t imagine the kind of challenges going on (actually I kind of can because I have done missions work). Still… much different with 6 others to think about. I always have and still do admire the simplicity of your life along with a Faith walk where God is truly at the center of EVERYTHING. Let me know if you ever start up the Coaching Classes again please. I TOTALLY understand there are much more important things though that the Lord has before you!! Please do keep us posted as we always like to know how your doing over there. I especially thought of you when I was digging out and putting up my tent last week! :-)