We are all aware that with the same letters are used to form the words ‘Listen’ and ‘Silent’. You cannot listen unless you are silent. We are bombarded with advice and suggestions that our noisy mind fails to make smart decisions and wise choices in important points in life. This is the result of not silencing our mind to listen. The loudest sound gets the most attention. We have lost the power to calm our spirit and be silent to listen to the right voice, from God and from the right people. If you don’t know where you’re going, distractions will look like opportunities and deceive us.
While listening to people we can notice that their talks are self-centered, i.e. it’s about them. Even if one of the people want to respond and help, the other person is not prepared at all. Ernest Hemingway cites his observation with these words, “when people listen completely, don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen.”. This is so true, I believe. People are filled with various cares of life as well as overwhelmingly ambitious. Jesus’ statement, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks,” is true indeed. What takes the most space in our hearts is what we most ventilate.
There are souls who long to be listened to. As a good sane human, it is our duty to listen to one-another without being judgmental at all. I understand the brevity of time, as each of us have their own pressing agenda. But as a child of God are we prepared to listen and help those who are hurting? In the book of Proverbs, it is said "It is shame to speak before listening". It is important that we listen intently. If you are struggling in this area, then you need help.
You cannot smother your heart and the noises around you to listen patiently. But it depends on what and whom you believe. Jesus was a great listener and always ready to help people struggling with sin, sickness, and questions in life. If you are too tired or busy to listen, you can reach out to Christ Jesus who invites all who are weary and heavily burdened to find rest in Him. For He promised by saying, “I will give you rest.”. Too often we allow the voices of our past, our mistakes or our insecurities to drown out God’s affirming voice. We struggle to believe that God could be pleased with us, especially when we’re acutely aware of our shortcomings. But Christ love and pleasure in us isn’t based on our performance; it’s based on our identity as His children. Prayer is talking to God who is not dead but alive. By this parameter, Jesus who rose from the dead is alive and is willing to listen to you. You can listen, grab a Bible and read to understand what it is saying. This is the highest selling book in the entire planet earth that has the power to transform you, be a person who can listen to someone, demonstrate your love and kindness to the person.
Resources:
No comments:
Post a Comment