Gathering Place: Blog! Listening is the Gift

"Listening is a generous gift; it is an act of love."

"We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic little book Life Together, writes, “Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians because these Christians are talking when they should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon no longer be listening to God either.”

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” James 1:19

Listening is harder than speaking. Bonhoeffer continues, “Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by God who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.”

“Listen more than you talk. 

Nobody learned anything by hearing themselves speak.”

Richard Branson

Celebrate the Christmas season with the gift of listening. Provide a space where people feel heard, valued and warmly welcomed and doors will open for deep meaningful conversation where we will not only be able to build one another up but we can be ambassadors of the good news like the angels and the shepherds were.

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11