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In our changing society we have lost yet another aspect of civility: the art of listening. We are so quick to verbalize that our hearing capacity has diminished to single digit response time. Many conversations have become one sided. We listen as if in captivity, looking for the opportunity to escape the rhetoric of others so we can express what we think is important. When our listening mode is shut off, we are, in reality, devaluating the importance of the individual with whom we are engaging. Our political system is torn apart by individuals who fail to understand the importance of listening. Instead of truly hearing what someone is saying, there is a dismissal attitude that what is being expressed is irrelevant. Politicians believe that the one who makes the most noise will be the one who will succeed in being the most productive. Elected governmental officials need to learn to respect one another or nothing will be accomplished. They need to reestablish the premise that they were elected to represent the people, not their own egos and self promotion.
I have found that even in the Church there is a hearing loss. If someone voices a Biblical opinion that does not meet the criteria of the hearer, there is a dismissal of the individual as being misguided or ignorant. The question must arise as to whom is misguided? If Believers can get to the point of sharing, they need to make sure they are right before they try and set someone else right. We must always exam Scripture to make sure we understand the intent of the Word. If we have adopted Biblical interpretations from our traditional upbringing, we must never be afraid to verify those Truths through our own study. One of the ways to know if we have a correct understanding of the Word is to see it at work in our lives. If the Scripture we claim fails to produce the result of its intent, something is wrong. God gave us two ears on our head for a purpose; that we may listen and learn from others. I wonder what the ratio is between the amount of words that we speak and the number of words that we hear. Listening to someone share their feelings and opinions shows respect to the individual. When someone is talking, don’t rain on their parade with a “topper” that elevates you into the center ring. I have learned over the years that a good conversation is a two way street that contains more listening than talking.
Prayer is not just talking to God, but listening to what He has to say. Many times Jesus went out alone to pray; sometimes it was early morning and other times it was late at night. I don’t believe He was only sending petitions to the Father for personal needs, but rather, having a time of listening for God’s directions. How many of us in our prayer life have our hands out to receive blessings, instead of lifting them up in praise? God wants to hear from us, but He also wants us to hear Him! On the Mount of Transfiguration, God spoke to Jesus’ inner circle and said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mark 9:7) Elijah encountered God on MountHoreb and after the fireworks, he heard God speak in “a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:12) God simply challenged Elijah to get back on track and fulfill the calling He had given him. (I Kings 19:15-18) Maybe the reason we dominate our prayer time is that we are afraid He might want us to do something with which we are not comfortable.
Let us look at listening as a learning experience, both horizontally and vertically. If a person’s theology is different from ours, it should be no threat if our Biblical foundation is secure. God speaks through human instruments, as well as through His Word, and also through His “still small voice.”
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