Journey, update 10-23-07

He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame. Prov. 18:13

In the devotional that I have been reading*, I came to a day titled, “Building Up Your Mate.” I admit it. I sighed and thought about skipping to the next one. Still, principles for marriage are often principles that everyone, even singles, can apply in their lives, so I read on. This devotional turned out to be one of the most thought provoking things that I read all week. The thing that Higgs focused on for building up your mate was listening. I was struck by the truth of what she said. Having someone listen to you, really listen to you without interruption or advice, someone who isn’t afraid of the silence and who waits for you to speak, that is one of the most affirming things I can think of in life.

So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9-10

In today’s fast paced, sound byte driven world, listening is not a skill that is particularly valued. Not just listening to others but listening to our Lord as well. I love the passage in Samuel where he comes to realize that he has been mistaking the voice of God for the voice of Eli. Then, he stops and waits to listen to the Lord. Every day of my life I am bombarded by voices. Voices of others expectations, needy voices of those I am here to serve, angry and hurting voices of those who bitterly reject truth and my own voices that speak of insignificance and insufficiency. This week I was reminded not only to really listen to those around me but I was reminded to be attentive to listen for the voice of the Lord, that I would not mistake His call or miss His gentle words that speak truth and mercy and grace and encouragement to my soul.

*Rise and Shine by Liz Curtis Higgs