Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Are You Listening?

All around us friends, relatives, and passersby are calling out for us to listen to them. They may not be calling in an audible voice, but if we watch and listen, we can tell that they are asking to be heard.

I was pondering this question, “Are you listening?” in my mind today as I drove down the road. I was thinking of the many times that I let my mind wander when friends or family may be trying to tell me something important. That made me sad to realize that I sometimes don’t pay attention where attention is needed. There are many people who need desperately to have someone really listen to them. Job 13:6"Hear diligently my speech and my declaration with your ears.”

Many times the words that come from our lips are not really the words that our hearts feel. We may be sad or lonely but yet we say we are doing great because we don’t want to expose our real feelings to the world. Or at other times we may be nervous and our words come out anything but the way we had intended them. Can we look beyond the actual words that come out of the mouth and see into the hearts of our fellowman? Job 13:6 "Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips."

I am so thankful that our Lord knows the yearnings of my heart and doesn’t depend on the words that come out of my mouth to know what I need.
Romans 8:27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Most importantly, we should listen to what God tells us as He speaks to us through His Word. Jeremiah 10:1 "Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you…."

I want to be more aware of what those around me are really saying so that I can relate to them better and in doing so maybe help them through tough times or maybe rejoice with them in gladness. What I don’t want to be is indifferent to what my friends are saying: whether it is with their voice, their eyes, or their actions. I want to be listening.

Proverbs 1:5 "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:"

May God be with each of you in a special way today!

Marilyn

5 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Me, too, Marilyn. I so want to be a better listener. I talk way too much and listen way too little.

My friend Cindy gave me a plaque (and got herself one as well) that says, "Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth." It is sooooooo appropriate for ME!!

Yolanda said...

Marilyn,

This resonate with-in me as well, and I thank you for always listening to me!

With love,
Yolanda

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

It's been very difficult for me to process what others are saying in this season. My radar isn't receiving as usual. With my hormones all a mess, I often find myself disengaged in conversation. I'm retraining my mind to "think"... especially as it pertains to what others are really saying behind their words.

Thank you for all your recent encouragement. You bless my heart with your kindness.

peace~elaine

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I've had a difficult time listening to others lately; not because I don't want to, but rather because my brain isn't in tune with my surroundings--not always. I've had to make a deliberate effort to "tune in" to the world around me. It's been a good learning experience for me.

peace~elaine

Cindy Bultema said...

Me too, Marilyn, me too! May the Lord open our ears to ALL He has to say to us!!
Have a wonderful week!!
Sweet blessings~
Cindy :)