There are times when conversation can be intense and that can be pleasurable, as well. When discussion is about those things in our lives that give value and meaning, it’s particularly interesting, especially given the various perceptions. Talking about our families and children can be great! A dialogue about a good book is just fun and a discourse on a study project (especially one where I’m lost) is helpful!
One area many people shy away from, at least in the public forum, is discussion on God’s Word. Our culture has reached the point, where these kinds of discussions can be “hazardous to our health” politically and even sometimes physically, depending on where you live and who else is in the room.
Dialogue is great; listening, however, can be a problem. Even when we are having a conversation, sometimes we are forming conversation in our brain to speak, while the other person is still sharing their thoughts! When this happens, we hear with our ears, but not necessarily with our minds or hearts. This can even be seen in church services when the Pastor is sharing the message. Instead of focusing on what he’s saying, we are thinking about what we’ll fix for lunch or dinner, who we might call on the phone later in the day, what football game, Nascar race, or other sports game might be on in the afternoon or thousand other things unique to each of us.
When I have a Bible question sometimes I will ask the Pastor, other times I ask another friend who seems to have amazing discernment regarding God’s Word. I asked him once how he was so ‘versed’ in scripture. He explained he was ‘discipled’ by Godly men from his church. He met with them as a group from time to time, as well as, one on one during the week, with at least one of them. His listened. He grew!
Having mentors is a great asset to our Christian growth. The Bible is filled with answers to all our questions, but sometimes it helps to put our thoughts, emotions and perceptions on the table in front of someone who can take the information and with prayer, reach into God’s Word for clarity, giving us the advice we really need. It teaches us how to do this for ourselves. But it requires time and listening!
Time is something we seem to have little of in our day to day lives. The moments rush by every day and we seldom accomplish everything we need to! Instead of 24 hours in the day, we need about 48! Our priorities become skewed causing us to choose what we must do, and it doesn’t always include God’s Word, or even sharing with someone stronger in the faith than we are.
I encourage you to choose to ‘listen’. Listen to your heart’s cry for wisdom that comes from the daily feeding of Christ—and meeting with a mentor to be discipled. Choose to take the time for prayer and quiet time that allows us to hear from God. This is where our answers can be found.
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