The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Proverbs 10:8
Lord, as I reflect on some of the conversations that I have and am going to have, I confess I have the tendency to believe I am right. Because of this, I often I find that I don’t stop and listen. Little do I know that in the process I disrespect the other person and shame myself without even being conscious of it! Where You have called me to love others and consider them better than myself, I have simply loved me and attempted to exalt myself. Worse, I confess I have a case of liking to hear myself speak. How twisted. How can I be that person who truly VALUES everything that someone else is sharing with me when I won’t take the time to just hear them and embrace the uniqueness of their differing viewpoint?
Your Word declares “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” (James 1:19) That is my call today. I don’t want to run around like a babbling fool acting like I know everything. Instead, I want to be like Jesus, considering others greater than myself, patiently hearing them as they speak from their heart, and knowing them for who they truly are. For then I can know how to love them authentically and in a Christlike manner, demonstrating Your love in a tangible.
Grant me patience today, Lord. Help me to listen for the purpose of understanding versus arguing. I want to hear the hearts of others so that I know how to love them like You do. Even the ugliest person in this world is loved by You. I want to be like that. And I know it begins with seeing their hearts. Show me Lord. I’m paying attention. Amen.