A Cricket in New York City

A Native American and his friend were walking on Times Square in New York City when the streets were busy, noisy, and filled with people.  The sounds of the city were almost deafening.  Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."  His friend said, "What?  You must be crazy.  You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”  "No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."  "That's just crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing.  He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket.  In utter amazement, the friend said, "That's incredible!  You must have superhuman ears."  "No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours.  It just depends on what you're listening for."  The friend replied, “There is just no way.  I could never hear a cricket in this noise."  But the Native American simply replied, "It depends on what is really important to you.  Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.  Even with all the noise of the crowded street blaring in their ears, nearly every person within twenty feet noticed the sound of the coins and turned to look and see if the money that hit the pavement was theirs.  "See what I mean?" said the Native American. "It all just depends on what's important to you.”

The same question must be asked to each of us, “What is important to you?”  As we go through our daily walk, where is our focus?  Is it money?  Entertainment?  Work?  God?  Far too many people are busy and focused on so many worldly aspects of life (Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42).  It is no wonder that people have difficulty seeing God working on earth and in the midst of difficult situations when they are focused on so many other things.  Consider the following scriptures:

• Proverbs 20:7 - “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…”
• Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Where is your heart?  What are you focused on?  The Native American was in tune with nature and noticed even the small details.  As Christians, we must be in tune with God and focused the spiritual things of this life.