Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs, works alongside people who are employed doing tasks that are described as “difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy.”

Some of my favorites from the episodes list:

• Sewer Inspector
• Hot Tar Roofer
• Bat Cave Scavenger
• Avian Vomitologist (apparently this is studying what birds spit up)

Being a prophet of God certainly would have been a dirty job. Amos, a shepherd, was chosen by God to tell a disobedient nation to return to God. God was unhappy with them because they had forgotten they were God’s people; they had lost their moral compass. Amos was calling them back to righteousness, justice, and to be peacemakers. Most people do not enjoy hearing about all the countless ways they have broken God’s heart; Amos definitely had a dirty job!

When we consider deeply how we may have lost our way today, I find God calling me back to a simple principle: Real love requires real listening.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. Included in the list is: “a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

Here are a few of my favorite quotes on listening:

“The first duty of love is to listen.” -- Paul Tillich

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” -- Dalai Lama

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” -- Winston Churchill

I look forward to exploring with you God Still Speaks, based on Amos 5:14, Amos 5:23-24, and Amos 7:7-8 this Sunday. Invite a friend to join you; I look forward to seeing you in worship!

Peace,

Pastor Cathy Johns