Listen

Today, we want to listen.

As Jesus walked down a street, a blind man called out. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). A significant portion of the record of Jesus's ministry is filled with him asking questions.

When interacting with others, would you say you ask more or talk more? Often, I'm thinking more about what I'm going to say than what someone else is saying to me.

Do you do that?

Another way to be intentional with our faith is to listen. And as we go and make time for others, we can generously give them our attention.

Attention is a great commodity these days. When we give others our attention, we show them we value them. In our multitasking, hurried social media world, undivided attention is rare and valuable. Even when people don't know what they want or need, the better we know them, the easier it is to serve them—which is what we're here for: to serve others so they might move a little closer to Jesus.

Listening to them shows respect and values them. We become more effective at loving and serving others when we take time to know them; listening is key. So today, if you'd like to grow your listening skills, first, ask God to give you questions. He will prompt you with questions and give you ideas of things to ask about.

Another idea is to count the number of times you say, 'Tell me more.' Ask someone to keep going. Don't rush to speak; instead, listen.

So today, join me—I need to listen more. Ask God to give you questions and become an active listener, and God will use your job for eternity today if you make listening a priority.

Action Prayer

Lord, today, please help me listen. Give me great questions. Help me not rush, but concentrate on each conversation. Help me ask others to tell me more. Please make the people I meet today feel appreciated and heard. Use all of this for your glory.

Amen.