Listen

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you.

James 1:19-21

Think

Have you ever wondered why God created human beings with two ears and one mouth?

The precise answer to this question is given to us by the apostle James: to listen more and speak less. As James instructs, be “ready to listen, slow to speak.” The art of listening is a practice that has been lost lately. We are quick to speak and prejudiced in what we say. Before the person in front of us has finished saying a sentence, we are already thinking in our minds how we are going to respond, without even giving the opportunity for an explanation. Listening requires patience and many times we must seek silent spaces that allow us to better understand the message we are receiving from the other person.

Today God reminds us to pause to listen patiently and without judgment and to use our words to bless and give life.

Mariely Gutierrez

Question to Ponder:

How are you listening today?

Pray

God, give me your wisdom to recognize when to listen to those who need to be heard, and give me the right words at the right time.

Amen.

Go

Go in peace recognizing that God’s love is sufficient.

Go trusting that Christ is your faithful friend.

Go shining with the light of the Holy Spirit.