Focus
Breathe in clear thoughts of peace and reflection as you prepare to hear God speak to you through the scripture and the writer. Put aside all the things the world says you have to accomplish today and use this time to rest in God’s presence.
Read
Isaiah 50:4-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
Reflect
Twice a week, I serve a ministry called Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, Nashville. Basically, I meet with a group of people in downtown Nashville, and we ride bicycles around and deliver food and supplies to people affected by homelessness.
When I participate in these rides, I meet with a lot of people that simply want to talk. They just want someone to listen to them. Often, the food and supplies we deliver are secondary. Having someone listen to them is their need. I will never forget hearing one guy, named Robert, tell me as I was about to leave him. “Hey man, thank you for coming out here. I love talking to you. I could talk to you all day. Come and chat anytime.” I could see the emotion in Robert when he said that; he needed someone to hear him. Sometimes, allowing people to talk about their lives gives them a sense of worth. And, they don’t need a solution; they often know the solution. They just need to vent. They need to unload and they need someone to genuinely hear their lament. I have always said, if you are a good listener, you have a gift from God. But, here is the caveat in that, in order to be a good listener, you have to have a spirit of humility. You have to put someone in front of you. You have to put your voice aside and make the speaker’s voice priority. That is challenging for a lot of people. But, that is a quality of being a servant of God.
Are you a good listener? If so, perhaps God is calling you to use your gift and simply offer your listening ear to someone in need.
Pray
Gracious Giver of Life, you bless us with gifts of the Spirit so that we can be of service to our neighbors. Lead us to the places that we can best serve our neighbors in need. Give us courage and strength to be good servants and reflections of the risen Christ! In his name we pray, AMEN
Go with God!
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.