I am generally a good listener. I am a man of few words, so I don’t feel the need to talk a lot. That allows me to be engaged with what the other person is saying in a conversation. I am not constantly thinking about what I will say next. I am really just trying to understand what is said. However, if the discussion drifts or goes on too long, my attention may fade. I am a good listener, not a perfect listener.
As a society, however, I don’t think that we are good listeners. We would rather be heard than to hear. That creates a lot of noise but not much community and understanding. The need to be heard is why social media is so popular. In this venue we can make our thoughts, opinions, and ideas known. That doesn’t mean that we are heard, however.
God is the perfect listener. He is eager to hear from us. He understands everything we have to say. He knows our thoughts, even before we speak them. There’s nothing that we cannot bring to Him. However, there is one thing that will keep Him from listening. Psalm 66:18 says,”If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. ” If we love our sin and hold onto it, God will not listen to us. If we confess our sins and trust in His forgiveness, He will hear and answer us.
Reluctant Retiree 