A lot of what we write is the fruit of listening. When we pause and listen to the words of others, and of the world around us, we glean writing prompts.
Nothing is more motivating for a writer than to have a topic tug at her heartstrings and beg her to tap deep into the subject. Do you love it when this happens? I do.
Journalling helps us pause and ponder life. It’s a safe zone to zone in on what’s troubling us or what’s bringing us joy. Current world events found me contemplating my lack of empathy for those I don’t relate to. This brought me to the humble place of asking God’s forgiveness for my cold heart towards people I don’t understand. The fruit of this was that I now pray for places and organizations in the world I consider hostile.
Praying for difficult people may not bring immediate world peace, but it immediately brings peace to our hearts and minds. It helps us be godly hearers and doers of The Word. It helps us listen to the Holy Spirit.
When we listen to hate with love, we become part of the solution. We enter the battle in the spiritual realm. We fight for both sides to win peace and safety. We pray for God’s will to be done.
No person is perfect but Christ. When we listen with this truth in mind, it helps us hear the other side of the narrative we may have avoided paying much attention to. We discover a way to have genuine empathy for those we deem disruptive. Like Jesus did, we must love the perpetrator and pray about the problem.
Inspirational writers are called to inspire readers to listen to the Light. Our world seems darker than it did a few years ago—in so many ways. Now it’s more crucial than ever that believers be wise and not stir up hate regarding those walking in darkness. Love draws people to the Light. Empathy softens lost souls and creates a thirst for Living Water.
Whether the difficult people we encounter via the news or daily life are hurling unusual beliefs on the airwaves or bombs on the streets, we’re still called to love them. We don’t have to agree with things that aren’t Biblical. But we do need to walk in love. Listening to others and seeking to understand their view of things is a sign of respect. It’s love in action. It’s deep listening.
L is for listen. And love.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Luke 6:27-28 NIV
Wendy L. Macdonald is an inspirational blogger and podcaster who loves to photograph nature on Vancouver Island. Her byline is: “My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep.”
Dear Wendy, thank you for your thoughts on listening. Good empathetic, compassionate listening is not only an art but a discipline. I still need the practice. The present days in which we live with its increased secular thought are teaching me even more for the need to listen. I hope and pray my listening will be evident in my writing. Blessings to you and your family, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Alan. I suspect you're wonderful at listening. You had lots of practice while helping people in crisis situations over the years. We grow at what we do.
DeleteBlessings.
Wow. Spot on, Wendy! praying for our "enemies" is a powerful thing - not just for them but for us, too. We all need to listen more...
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Tracy. While visiting with someone today, I realized my biggest calling in that moment was to be a silent witness . It's rewarding when we remember to listen well. It's so easy to miss the mark. But grace.
DeleteBlessings.
Listen and love. Thanks for this beautiful reminder, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThank you & blessings, dear Sandi.
DeleteMany thanks, Wendy. It’s a difficult thing, sometimes, to open our hearts to His examination but necessary if we want to see the world through His compassionate eyes. Thanks very much for this thoughtful piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you & blessings, dear Sharon. God is so good to make the difficult moments more than worth it when we trust Him with them.
DeleteThank you so much, Wendy. These lines both resonated with and convicted me: Praying for difficult people may not bring immediate world peace, but it immediately brings peace to our hearts and minds. It helps us be godly hearers and doers of The Word. It helps us listen to the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThank you & blessings, dear Michelle. Those lines are enough on their own to motivate us to love our enemies. I appreciate you noting them. :)
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