The other day, my sisters and I
were discussing a theme for a farewell party they were planning for me. One of them suggested buying flags
representing each country I would be visiting.
I thought it was a great idea.
The other asked, “Where can we purchase these flags?” I said, “We could print them up online and
attach them to a stick.” Immediately
after I said this, my sister said, “Oh, we can search for the flags online, print
them out in color and put it on a stick!”
“What a great idea!” exclaimed the other. “Umm… didn’t I just say that?” I rhetorically
asked. Although I know they meant no
harm, it nevertheless, made me feel insignificant.
I have experienced similar
situations many times in the past. Sometimes,
the person with whom I am speaking is simply pre-occupied – either in thought
or their attention was captured by something else. Sometimes, because they were so eager to speak
their mind, they just failed to hear me.
Whatever the reason, I try to
convince myself that it isn’t a blatant disregard to me so that I don’t take
offense. Unfortunately, I have a
difficult time convincing myself of that, so in order to avoid offending
others, I believe in listening more than speaking.
More recently I am able to put this
belief into practice on a deeper level.
As I am ending one chapter of my life and beginning another, I am
seeking God more than ever. For the
first time, I am learning things that are inherent to a healthy Christian
walk. For example, I am learning that
having a relationship with God means having a two-way communication is essential. What this means to me is that I’m not just
talking at God and praying
to him,
not hearing what he wants to say, but talking
with God, giving him a chance to respond – listening to his
response.
For years, I prayed to God, talking
to him and not really expecting him to talk back to me. I thought that only “super spiritual” people
like pastors and priests could hear his voice.
I am glad I was wrong. I began
practicing listening prayer and have been delighted by the results. I have heard him speak to me in many ways
such as, in a revelation, much like an epiphany. Other times he convicts me of something, much
like the “guilt-conscience”. When this
happens, I must not simply listen but respond accordingly so as to not grieve
the Holy Spirit.
If I really listen, he is speaking
to me all the time. The key is to filter
out the distractions, rid the pre-occupying thoughts and to open the ears of my
heart. I believe he gave us two ears and
one tongue so that we can do more listening than speaking. Those who have ears
let them hear, this I believe.
