Some
of the most regrettable moments of my life resulted from making decisions based
on incomplete information. When I assume I know more than I actually do, when I
think I know what another is thinking, when I stop listening because I think I have
understood the situation, the likelihood that I will say something stupid increases
sharply. Why, oh why, is it so difficult to say, “Help me to understand”?
Right
now, our world needs a lot more good listeners, people who will honestly say, “tell
me more.” Mostly we are shouting at each other from entrenched positions, incapable
of understanding. We are convinced that OUR view is the RIGHT one. Fear drives
us even deeper into our defensive response and the divide grows daily.
Christian,
we can, we must, do better; for God’s sake. Remember this, listening to
another is not the same as agreeing with another. Many are being cut off, their words not even
allowed to be heard, as if the act of saying words out loud turns them into absolute
truth. A real dialogue, an exchange of
ideas, an openness to conversation lays a foundation of understanding.
This
is a real issue for those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus. We need to
lead the way to deep conversations, inviting others to talk, with the hope that
it will open up a channel of real communication. If we hope to be able to share
our love of Jesus, to invite others to know Him, we will put away our
megaphones and sit down at the table.
Ever made the leap to a conclusion so certain that you just
knew the obvious? What actually is said, what a person
intended to say, and what we think we heard, are frequently unrelated
tales. Our state of mind influences the information taken in by our
senses, doesn't it? If we are fatigued, discouraged, or angry – a word
of criticism can sound like an awful condemnation. When we have already
set our agenda going into a conversation, we will too quickly assume that everybody thinks the same
thing. Their questions will feel like
resistance and, failing true dialogue, the seeds of conflict are planted! God’s
wisdom instructs us. "He chose to give us birth through the word of
truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. My dear
brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous
life that God desires." (James 1:18-20, NIV) (Re-read those lines, especially the last sentence.)
It
may be that our fundamental worldview is flawed so that we come to the wrong
conclusion, misjudge another, or even blame God! Jesus disciples had
been trained by their religious leaders, wrongly, to think that if someone was
suffering, there was a direct line of cause and effect. One day, when they
saw a blind man, they judged. “Who sinned?” they asked. The only reason a
person could be blind, they assumed, was because of somebody’s failure. The
truth was very different, as they learned from the Master. " As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man
who had been blind from birth. "Rabbi," his
disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his
own sins or his parents’ sins?" "It was not because of his sins or
his parents’ sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the
power of God could be seen in him." (John
9:1-5, NLT) Imagine their shock when they
tried to accept that God has allowed the man to be blind for His own purposes.
It just did not fit with their understanding of the world.
Are
you and I creating obstacles to real communication and discovery of God’s will
with our assumption that what we ‘know’ is flawless or complete? May God give
us grace to approach difficult situations, threatening ideas with these kinds
of questions: "Why did you do that?" "What did you
mean?" "How do you feel?" These are simple
questions, left unasked and therefore, unanswered, too often. Listening is
love! Peter says, "Most of all, love each other as if your
life depended on it. Love makes up for practically
anything." (1 Peter
4:8, The Message) " Friends, when life gets really
difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion
that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you
are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining
process, with glory just around the corner. " (1 Peter
4:12-13, The Message)
In this
critical time in our land the Devil is using the age-old strategy of 'divide
and conquer.' Christian, let’s fall to
our knees and pour out our fears to the Lord. Let’s ask Him to secure us –
heart and mind – in His great love. Then, let’s go out to love and listen. We need not abandon all of our convictions, go
soft in the head about wisdom, or affirm every idea that we hear. But WE MUST
show the love of Jesus and I am fairly certain that does not start with snarling
at those who threaten us or posting a rant on our Facebook timeline.
I am
inspired by Jesus’ radical story of acceptance repeated for us in Luke 15. A young
man broke his father’s heart, ran off to waste his life, and came to the conclusion
he was worthless, beyond redemption. He came up with a plan to go home, but not
as a son. “I’ll just work on the farm so I have enough to eat.” Conventional wisdom was and is “He made his
bed now he’ll have to lie in it.” But the heart of God is revealed in the response
of the father. Our word from the Word for today are these radical words of
love. "So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a
long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran
to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to
be called your son.’
Ready
for it? Here it is … “But the father said to his servants,
‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and
celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.’ So they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:20-24, NIV) Son, you are
beloved, forgiven, restored. Isn’t that
a scandalous love?
Oh
Father, give me Your heart.
Teach me how to love as You love,
Teach me how to love as You love,
To reach
past my own sense of right and just
To find
forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life.
Amen
_____________
Almighty
God the great I Am
Immovable
Rock omnipotent
Powerful
awesome Lord
Victorious
Warrior
Commanding
King of kings mighty Conqueror
And
the only time
The
only time I ever saw Him run
(Was)
when He ran to me
Took
me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest
Said
My son's come home again
Lifted
my face
Wiped
the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice
He
said son do you know
I
still love you
He
caught me by surprise
(He
brought me to my knees)
When
God ran
After
I left home I knew I'd broken His heart
I
wondered then if things
Would
ever be the same but one night
I
remembered His love for me
And
down that dusty road ahead I could see
It's
the only time
The
only time I ever saw Him run
I
saw Him run to me
And
then I ran to Him
I
was so ashamed all alone and far away
But
now I know He's been waiting for this day
(And
then) He ran to me
Took
me in His arms
Held
my head to His chest
Said
My son's come home again
Lifted
my face
Wiped
the tears from my eyes
With
forgiveness in His voice
(I
felt His love call me again)
He
said son He said son
My
son do you know I still love you
He
ran to me
When
God ran
Benny
Hester | John Parenti
©
1985 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)
CCLI
License # 810055
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