Can You Hear Me Now?
by Kelly Williams
Do you remember that commercial on TV from a few years ago? The guy was in different places asking, “Can you hear me now?” I find myself saying that sometimes on phone calls when the connection is bad.
Over the past few years, I have been convicted about really listening to people when they talk. I’ve watched videos about things not to do in a conversation with someone. Like, don’t interrupt, don’t try to draw the conversation back to you, and don’t walk away in the middle of a conversation with someone without a polite goodbye. I will add another one: don’t pick up your phone and start scrolling while they are talking! Do you have the gift of listening?
Is it a gift or is it something we can all learn and do better? If we want to build relationships with people so that we can tell them about Jesus, we have to be better listeners. How valued I feel when someone really listens to what I’m saying. Wouldn’t people we are building relationships with be more apt to listen to you tell about your relationship with Jesus if they know you have listened to them in the past?
Wouldn’t a person to whom no one listens feel invisible and unimportant? To Jesus, they are not invisible or unimportant so they should not be those things to us. In my last blog post, I wrote about how to love others better. I don’t think there is a better way to show Christ’s love than by truly listening to others as Christ listens to us.
One of the greatest attributes of God to me is that He is always there and always listening when we call on His name. He knows our name and He knows our voice. Isn’t that wonderful? I can pick out Ken’s voice in a group of thousands, I believe, because I’ve listened to him for over 50 years. Do you recognize the voice of God when He speaks to you? If you struggle with that, perhaps spending more time with Him in Bible study and prayer will help you discern His voice from your own thoughts.
In John 10, the Scripture tell us about the Good Shepherd. It says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
So, are you listening? I encourage you to really listen to people when they are talking. Don’t do so just to jump in with your own stories, but to really hear where their heart is and what they may need from you. And I encourage you to know your Father’s voice and obey His commands.
Prayer: Father, please help me to be present when having a conversation with others. Help me to listen with the love of Jesus readily available to pray for that person, and tell them about Jesus when the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. Help me to spend more time with You so that I can discern Your voice and leading.
