Listening to Others

Rather than ask God for long life, riches, or the death of his enemies, Solomon asked the Lord for “a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil.” (1Kings 3:9) He sought the one thing that mattered most and God granted this request. This gift of a “discerning heart” allowed Solomon favorable position from which to lead Israel as its wisest king. More than just casual wisdom or insight, Solomon was given, in the words of Adam McHugh, a “listening heart.” A listening or hearing heart means having ears to hear and a heart that absorbs.

A listening heart is primed by humility. It is self-emptying like Jesus. A listening heart cares little about control. It is respective of others and doesn’t try to manage them. A listening heart seeks to be present. It shifts focus to enter another person’s world, without being judgmental, ministering to that person’s genuine need.

In Jesus we see the perfect example of someone who has a listening heart. The wisdom of Solomon had worldwide notoriety but the wisdom of Jesus - his commitment to listening to others with a hearing heart - was even greater than that of Solomon (see Matthew 12:42). Jesus is not only an example of a listening heart, He makes it possible for you and me to be people with a listening heart, able to hear others well and to respond to what we hear.
May God the Spirit give us a teachable spirit, the desire to discover more of Christ, to have an understanding heart and to walk in His ways
as we listen to others.

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen!