To Whom Should We Listen

I am astounded by those who are listened to in our society today. We seem to revel in the information that is expressed by people who, beyond a singular talent or ability, would never be listened to at all. Let me give you a few examples.
Tonight, MSNBC has a program where Rita Cosby will have an in-depth interview with Amber Frye. You remember Amber Frye, don't you? She is the "girlfriend" of convicted murderer Scott Peterson. Let's see now...The reason we listen to her is? Because she was duped by a guy who was a world class liar? She found out about who he was a turned the guy in? She is a former stripper? No offense, Amber, but why should we continue to listen to you? The trial is over. You have nothing more to tell us. But we continue to be fascinated by you.
Here's another. Tom Cruise. Why should we listen to Tom? Because he has been married and divorced twice and is about to get married for a third time? Because he has become a spokeperson for a cult group called Scientology? Because he can't act (OK, maybe he can act a little)? Because he is rich? Good looking? No offense, Tom, but you are so out of the mainstream of human life on this planet that you have nothing to say to those of us who live normal lives.
The Media. Why do we listen to these guys? They have had hour long programs all over the cable channels talking about the death of Peter Jennings. He has been treated as though he formed world opinion and changed people's lives. He has been eulogized because he was a newspaper man, journalist, and anchor man. Hmmm. Married and divorced four times. He spent most of his life outside the U.S. He was terribly hard to work for by all accounts of those who have been eulogizing him. Forming world opinion? Maybe, but I doubt he had near the affect that his colleagues think he did.
Any Sports Figure. Take your pick. Gary Sheffield (nobody would pay any attention to this guy if he couldn't hit a baseball - and that affects us how?), Rafeal Plamiero (he had one chance to make a statement and change lives in front of congress and he lied), Kenny Rogers (all he did was physically accost a couple of cameramen - he should be in jail not on the front page). Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens, Ricky Williams (please), and a host of others. If you want to listen to a sports figure, try Jim Kelly who lost his son, Hunter, to a debilitating disease this week and has worked tirelessly for the disabled; Lance Armstrong because he defeated cancer and is affecting people's lives with his story and his courage (I know, he has been married, divorced and is dating Cheryl Crow but I will give him a break-he's earned it); Dan Marino, voted into the Football Hall of Fame this week who is a terrific Dad and has helped to build a Children's Hospital and who, through his Foundation and charitable fund raising, has donated more than 4,000,000 to this cause (the Marino's have a special needs child).
To whom do you listen? Movie stars and rock stars have little to contribute. Politicians and Interest Group representatives rarely tell the truth - they only try to represent their point of view without regards to the truth. Even preachers have their own agenda and cannot always be the source of truth they claim to be. So, to whom do you listen?
When I go into the pulpit I read from the NIV version of the Bible. During this Sabbatical I have heard pastor's use a variety of versions. I think I will stick with the NIV. Largely because it is a translation done by a group of scholars. This group checked themselves and their conclusions against a variety of research, scholarship, and thought. And that leads to a better, more rounded understanding of how to translate the scriptures. I think that is good advice. Listen to more than one voice. Certainly, we must listen to the voice of God. But how does the Holy Spirit speak? He speaks through the Word, prayer, preachers and teachers, problems and pain, understanding and confusion. He speaks in a variety of ways through a variety of voices. And that's the way it's supposed to be. Don't listen to a single voice (even your own). God has given us the ability to hear from Him through many different avenues. Choose them wisely. There are always voices wanting to get our attention. I John 4:1 says, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." Wise advice. To Whom Do You Listen?