Dear SCC & Friends,
…quick to hear… ~James 1:19
Reflection #175
One of the most sincere forms of respect is to actually listen to what another has to say. ~Bryant McGill~ It is possible to listen but not hear… that place where we simply nod with a few “uh-huhs” mixed with an occasional “I see.” Most people have an innate desire to be heard… Are you listening? You’re not listening… Please listen… You never listen! I am not aware of awards which honor or recognize the merit of listening… “The Academy would like to present the Oscar for the Best Listener of the year”… It’s a challenge to really hear when we have so many things competing for our attention. In fact, at times listening may even seem like a waste of time. Multi-taskers may disagree, but we cannot truly listen while focusing on something else at the same time. Listening and hearing are two different things… The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made both of them. ~Prov. 20:12
Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. ~Jas. 1:19 Too many times we reverse it – Slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to anger… I’ve been a speaker most of my life… military, teacher, businessman and pastor. I’ve done a lot of “speaking” but wisdom doesn’t come from speaking. It comes from a hearing heart before God and one another. It’s difficult to hear amidst the background noise of present-day culture… Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. ~Rom. 10:17 Having a hearing heart is fundamental to the practice of our faith. Therefore, every one who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. ~Matt. 7:24 Help us Lord as only you can… slow to anger, slow to speak and quick to hear. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. ~Prov. 25:12 Keep up the good work!
Made for these days,
Kevin