How well do you listen? When you are in conversation, do you really listen to the other person or are you formulating your response? Are you missing meaning in your conversation due to not listening well? Are you listening for God to speak to you?
We often see, hear, or experience people who do not listen well. In many cases, due to the lack of listening, conversations are misunderstood. Sometimes, the misunderstanding turns into disgruntlement or anger with the other party.
I cannot begin to count the number of conversations I have overheard in which one person or another has interrupted someone else. Unfortunately, the interruption can become a point of contention and disgruntlement on the part of the one being interrupted. Not only that, but it makes it difficult for the person speaking to get their point across without it being disjointed and difficult to understand.
The same can be true when we listen to God. Our listening may include reading Scripture. But do we read it to understand to interrupt it with our perspective? Our perspective may or may not be correct. We are better served to listen for God’s meaning.
Our listening may also include God speaking to us in a still small voice. He may be directing us to do something we don’t believe we can. We interrupt to dispute his calling. Yet, God does not call us to something for which he will not provide what we need to accomplish it. God will speak to us, if we are listening for him to do so.
I pray we all listen attentively to one another. I pray we choose to not interrupt one another. I pray each one of us will listen for God to speak to us and not interrupt him with our personal perspective. Listen to one another. Listen for God to speak. Follow God’s guidance. Accept God’s call to you.
1 Samuel 3:10 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Marty Pressey 