A Time to Listen

“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow
angry.” James 1:19

September 13, 2023

Just the other day, I heard someone share the importance of listening. T hey were stating that when they are going through a stressful time, they don’t always need answers when they are venting.  Rather, they just want
someone to listen to them.  Can’t we all be tempted to give people answers even when they are not asking for them?  It’s hard to just sit and listen without given your input sometimes, isn’t it?  I think being a good listener is
important as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Further, being quiet and letting other people speak does not mean that we are listening.  Sometimes, yes, we may be letting another person speak but we are not paying attention because we are silently formulating what our response is going to be!

Scripture teaches us that everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak. We all know the feeling of how good it feels when we feel like someone has truly listened to us.  When I did my chaplaincy work, I had many
moments with patients in the hospital who just needed to vent about things that worried them or brought them anxiety. I can remember many of them thanking me for taking time to listen to them and ask questions.  People want to feel like they are being heard.  We don’t always have to offer solutions in that moment. Sometimes just sitting with them and listening is enough.

When is a time where you felt like someone really listened to you in a way that made you feel good?  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, who can you take time to listen to this week?  Who can you be present with?  In all we do, may we follow the teachings in scripture that encourage us to be people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.  This helps our witness in the world.

Grace and peace,

Jake