Aug
21
Listening: where caring begins.
Filed by Becky Albrecht Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
The late Fred Rogers, from PBS’s Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, once said:
“More and more I’ve come to understand that
listening is one of the most important things
we can do for one another.
“Whether the other is speaking or playing or dancing,
building or singing or painting,
if we care, we can listen.
“Listening is where caring begins.”
In the Bible, author James tells us: ”My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
Here are some more thoughts from God’s Word regarding listening:
“He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)
”The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
”Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” (Proverbs 4:1)
The Bible also tells us that there are some things to which we should NOT listen:
”A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4)
”A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.” (Proverbs 21:28)
We are told that the lips of “an adulteress “drip honey,” and that her speech is “smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:1-4)
When wondering which voices to which we should listen, we can be like the Apostles, who said:
”We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29)
I will admit that on my own, I am not at all a good listener.
On my own, I care more about me than about listening to others.
Thankfully, through the power given me by Christ, I can be what I would otherwise not be.
[“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13]
Songwriter Keith Getty puts it this way: “This the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath—We stand forgiven at the cross.” (www.gettymusic.com)
At the cross, we stand forgiven. Because of the work that Christ did on the cross, we are given the ability to do that which we could not otherwise do.
[Not sure about this? click on “Pursuit of Wisdom”/”Do You Know For Sure?” (above)]
When I remember who Christ is, and what He did for me, I can have this ability to become a better listener.
My prayer is that God, by His grace, will enable each of us to listen better to Him through His Word,
to be ‘clothed’ with the compassion that comes from Him (Colossians 3:12),
to become better listeners.
May God help each of us hear the “silent cries” of others in need
(family members, friends, neighbors, and even strangers.)
Because of Christ, each day I can grow to be more “quick to listen …”
