Definition: Let's just start immediately with that- paying close attention to something.
Have you ever been told to not use the same word to explain something you were explaining??? Hahahahaha I did it again.
This is often how we live!
So instead, here are some words that relate to attentive:
Alert
Awake
Watchful
Observant
Perception
Considerate
Kind
Thoughtful
Can you add a few of your own?
We are attentive to someone when we fall in love. We do acts of service, give gifts, flowery words fall off our lips, and we never want to be separated. Then there's the mind facet - we can't think of anything or anyone else. Daydreaming.
In other words, we look over all the faults or realistic humanness. At times our attentive intentions take things out of perspective. Yet, God has one perspective of you if you are His.
Song of Songs 4:7 Every part of you is beautiful my darling. Perfect is your beauty, without flaw within.
Did you wince when you read that? He has very clear vision! He sees all and that's what my Bride-groom King says about me and you. Receive it!
We are attentive to someone when there is pain or hurt or crisis. One time, years ago now, my hubby and I were traveling around some curvy mountain roads. We witnessed a man on a motorcycle skid out and the motorcycle went one way and he the other. You know it's in an instant. We pulled over and so did others. It's amazing what kicks in, when there is an emergency, that's life or death. This was before cell phones (showing my age again). Someone went to get help and call an ambulance. I was a newly, graduated, just took my boards and passed nurse. I ran over and shouted don't move him! Others wanted to get him off the road. Someone else became an instant flagger and waved people around. It is amazing how fast people really do come around the curves not expecting anything to be in their path (another possible post). Someone got a blanket they had in the back of their car. And then....
a doctor was right there, traveling between as well and stopped and took over until an ambulance arrived. He had a bag, of course! In it were things to assist this young man who was down and unconscious.
Talk about relief!!! I was not secure in my abilities without all the experience of years under my belt. Yet, what I had learned, came to the forefront and instinct took over. Breathing and pulse were checked. Looked for bleeding. Some of these things I did not remember even doing until later.
When I got back in the car, I was shaking. My hubby and I prayed for the young man, and headed down the road to our own destination.
Psalm 66:19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
What's your focus? Where's your attention? Would you let instinct take over when necessary? Would you recognize it? Are you so zoned in to you and your needs that you can't see what's coming around the corner?
Or the opposite side, do you have focus? Do you even know who you are, what God has for you? Would you trust your abilities he has given you? Do you waffle and never make a decision? Could you interrupt life enough to recognize His voice if he were speaking?
There's one more attentiveness scenario I'd like to mention. Think about getting out a splinter or perhaps looking at a diamond under a microscope. You know the term attention to detail. Probably only two camps: I love it (think about spreadsheets and lots of numbers or balancing the checkbook to the penny) or I do not love it (do we really have to measure that, three holes later the picture is hung in the right spot). Just kidding, you can be somewhere in the middle!
This kind of attentiveness, often relates to focus.
Makes me think of the parables in scripture that are sandwiched together in Luke 15. You should check them out. They are the parable of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son (or TPT calls it The Loving Father).
To give you a progressive point:
Luke 15:5bTPT ...He didn't stop until he finally found it.
Luke 15:10 That's the way God responds every time one lost sinner repents and turns to him.
Luke 15:22 Let's prepare a great feast and celebrate.
Beautiful you, without flaw.
Living Whole,
Keys to Whole Living