Can You Hear Him?

Can You Hear Him?

Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

Proverbs 8:6

God calls us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19). Sadly, too often we are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. Listening is an art and one that is close to God’s heart.

Since God always listens to us, we minister to others by listening to them. Listening is a form of love. We show others they are valuable when we listen with respect, care, and patience, and when we refrain from interrupting with our own thoughts and advice. We must set aside our schedules and distractions to be fully present and to hear every word that is being spoken. Really listening takes practice and will not be mastered in a week.

The exercises this week will reveal your current listening habits. God may use some of these exercises to show you how you could lovingly listen better—both to him and to others. Be encouraged that God is shaping your heart to love others well through the ministry of listening.