Listen, Speak, Respond

One of the Discipline readings this week was based on James 1:17-22. In that passage is advice to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. I must say that is excellent, grace-filled advice.

To listen well, and to listen, even when interrupted, is to say through your actions, to the person in front of you, that that person is important -- that his/her words matter. It is an important and sometimes overlooked form of agape. To set aside one's own priority of the moment and to truly listen is a gift -- a spiritual gift from God to the hearer and a gift of grace to the one "speaking" (for sometimes listening goes beyond words). Haven't been in a conversation when you know that the person in front of you is not listening? Have you noticed how defeating that realization can be? So, be quick to listen.

Being slow to speak is sometimes a challenge. Pausing before speaking implies that the one who was listening has actually heard the message, and that it has had impact. It gives value to both members of the conversation. Beyond that, don't we all need to take a moment to before speaking in order to judge the wisdom of our words, prior to them being said? It is advice I should heed more often. Be slow to speak (and maybe, sometimes, just don't speak at all).

Thirdly, I think being slow to anger could be understood to mean more than that -- avoid reaction and instead respond. I heard that countless times in college and just beyond, when I was an advisor to a sorority. I didn't understand it then, but I do now. Don't react. Breathe. Think. Consider. Listen for God. Then respond. Be slow to anger, slow to accusations, slow to judgment. It doesn't say avoid anger at all costs. There is time for anger, but be certain it is wise, warranted anger. Respond, if necessary, with anger that will create positive change, rather than anger for it's own sake. Be slow to anger.

"And welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls." Doesn't it all have to do with living a life that listens for God? Jack asked our congregation last week, "How beautiful is God's dwelling place?" If the word is implanted in us, do we leave it room to grow within us? Or do we crowd it out with our own agendas and self-grown "wisdom?"