Are We Listening?

Within the last year I have witnessed panic, fear, anger, frustration and distress wash over so many folks. No doubt there has been good reason for such an abundance of emotions. From the global pandemic to the violence of racism to the anxieties of our future government, there has appeared to be no end in sight to our fractured world.

So what are we as Christ-followers to do? How are we who are to display the Kingdom of grace and mercy to respond? Now I’m not offering a definitive solution here. The issues are way too complex. But I do have a suggestion for us as the people of God. I see it as a starting place. And it is that we become listeners!

As I’ve encountered the thoughts and opinions of others, I’ve become convinced that many have become very good at judging, overreacting, criticizing, and blaming. When I read through Facebook posts and comments, I am astonished at how quick some are to point out the wrong they see in other’s assumptions and beliefs. What’s unfortunate is that some Christians don’t behave any differently. “But we gotta stand for truth, right?” “Gotta stand up for Jesus!”

But what if we listened? What if we practiced being more present in the lives of others with our ears rather than our tongue? What if we sought to understand instead of always trying to take a stand? What if we approached others with a heart to learn rather than a lesson to give? What if we learned to walk in the shoes of another instead of racing by with our agenda?

Now when I write about listening, I don’t want you to misread this as being a passive act. Yes, it is possible to be apathetic as we nod at the words of another. But the type of listening I’m talking about here is ACTIVE. It’s being fully present as we move into another’s world to feel their joy and pain. It’s empathic as we absorb another’s thoughts not to respond with our personal diatribe but to see what they see and feel what they feel. 

So what if we approached our next disagreement, whether that be political, theological, or philosophical, not with a rash counterargument but with a question? Not a loaded question to gather material to poke holes in another’s view, but one in which seeks to know the person. What if we humbled ourselves and allowed the views of another to teach us a bit more of who we are and who we need to be? Again, what if we listened? 

I’m afraid that sometimes, not always, we as church folk are too quick to speak. Along with everyone else, we have this deep desire to be heard. And yes, I agree that the gospel must be proclaimed. But we must step back and dissect what this sharing of the gospel needs to look like in our world today. Consider these words recently spoken by a college student: “All Christians want to do is get their point across and persuade you to agree with them.”

There is an insurmountable sum of noise in our world. I wonder what would happen if we as the church quit adding to it and instead began to listen. In the midst of the shouting match among so many, what if we who are to display God’s Kingdom removed our voice and replaced it with our listening presence? Could it be that as we did so we might actually then have a gospel response that’s of worth and one which the world around us wants to hear?

So are we listening? The truth is…well…sometimes. But we can start today. Begin right where you are. This is actually the key. You don’t need to find new people. You don’t need to start a “listening” program for your church. Just put down your phone and pay attention to those God has already placed in your life and day. Be present. Pray. Learn. And perhaps watch God move as you open up your life (and ears) to really hear those around you.