December 12, 2007
“Hearing and Listening”
Dear Friend,
Hearing is a great blessing and a great curse. Some things we hear inspire and encourage us; while other things depress and discourage us. We have all experienced the joy of being praised and the trauma of being harshly critiqued. Another important aspect of hearing transcends my feelings. In fact, it addresses the uniqueness and importance of others. True hearing requires honest listening.
Eugene Patterson wrote: “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.” I believe it is valuable for us to perform listening self-checks. We may ask ourselves, “Am I really listening or just waiting for my turn to talk?” Are we really listening, or do we assume we know what someone is thinking?
Hearing without listening deprives us of important information. It deprives those who speak to us of the value and the respect they deserve.
The psalmist expressed a profound desire for the Lord to hear his cry and listen to his prayer. God’s capacity and willingness to listen are divine qualities. When we hear and listen we act in a godly way. We follow the example of the Almighty who hears our cry and listens to our prayer. So then, the act of listening expresses a quality of soul that pleases both God and man.
Doc
Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
