by Desiree Bustamante

Understanding starts with listening.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

We all want to feel listened to and understood. When we don’t feel like our point-of-view is being heard, we can quickly become lonely, sad, frustrated, or even angry.

As Christians, we are blessed that we have a God who loves to listen to us. He encourages us to bring Him all our thoughts, desires, struggles and victories. He promises to always listen, though He already understands us more than we understand ourselves. Our prayers and conversations are precious to Him.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
James 1:19 New Living Translation

God encourages us to listen to others. One of the biggest contributors to conflict in our relationships and in society is we often don’t truly listen to people who think differently than us. Loving others as Christ commands us doesn’t mean embracing only those who share your political views, your religious views or your lifestyle views. Listening well demonstrates that we actively practice Jesus’ love for all humans.

I encourage you to seek out and listen to someone with whom you may disagree. Listen to their views and seek to understand rather than forming judgements.  See others as Jesus sees them, as He sees you, through eyes of love. The goal is not to agree with everything that is said but value others as unique, precious children created by God.

God may use the opportunity to bless you with wise words to help them in some way. And their words may bless you, too.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado