“Time To Listen” - by Zach Wood
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” Proverbs 18:13 (NLT)
Many of us have struggled with speaking before listening and every single one of us have done this and later really regretted not listening first.
I wish I could go back in time and listen before speaking to people that I misunderstood or hurt because I was so foolish not to first listen. Even if I didn’t agree, I should have listened to show that I respected how the person felt. I cannot change those times, but what I can do is learn for the future when I do get into a conversation that I need to listen completely before responding.
Christ calls us to love and to be compassionate toward others we come in contact with that say things we don’t agree with and share advice with us that we don’t like. When someone offers their opinion, no matter how much we disagree, we need to fully listen to every word before we respond.
This could show much more respect and love for others than trying to tell them about Christ by showing His love through our actions and as we listen to their perspective. We won’t always agree. From this proverb, we must learn to work harder to stop and listen to what others are sharing with us before we even attempt to respond.
It’s truly amazing what we come to learn when we actually take the time to listen to people, learn the facts, understand how they feel and where they are coming from before we even attempt to give any response. God can do some amazing work in our hearts and minds when we take the time to listen closely.
Zach Wood is minister at Eagle Lake Church of Christ in Eagle Lake, MN. Contact | 
