In most conversations that I am a participant in, I have noticed that the other person or persons are far more eager to speak than to listen to what I might say. I can’t blame them, really, as I am also more eager to speak than listen. However, good relationships are not initiated or maintained in this way.
Good relationships come out of the belief that everyone is valuable and what they say is meaningful. Unfortunately, we approach our relationship with God with the same faulty approach of speaking more than listening. We come to God in the sacred moment of prayer and unload a series of requests upon Him. We don’t even wait around for the answers. I find it odd that we can earnestly ask God for wisdom and never listen for the wisdom He provides.
James 1:19 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” If we are to be slow to speak and quick to hear with people, we should do likewise with God and all the more so. We can’t really say that we have a relationship with God if we are not listening to Him. Ecclesiastes puts it even more bluntly when it says, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut!” It is good to listen for God’s voice in our hearts and through His Word.
Reluctant Retiree 