By Wendy Reaume

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James 1:19

Have you ever started to tell a story or answer a question and then noticed that the one asking wasn’t really interested; they didn’t really want to get into a conversation? One at a time eyes look away and next thing you know there is one polite individual left listening as you finish, and the original questioner is off to ask another question to another person simply in passing.

Our world needs listeners. Practical Christianity involves slowing down and listening to one another. Our world needs people who are willing to go out for a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, close their mouths and open their ears simply to hear. 

My African brothers and sisters do this well. In Nigeria, the African country I am most familiar with has this down to an art. People are more important than time. People are more important than business deals. The time spent making and enjoying a cup of bush tea in fellowship says, ‘You are important to God and you are important to me.’  Now, if you are anything like me, your days whiz past at such a speed that there is no time unless God creates an 8^th day. And that, my friends, is where we all have to listen.

First, we have to listen to God. Practical Christianity means hearing that God rested on the seventh day. He didn’t need to of course. He is God. But, He did, and if He did, how much more do we, who get tired, need to rest.

Secondly, we have to slow down enough to hear others. It takes time to actually pay attention and hear what someone is saying. Often, what we hear requires a response and that always takes time. If someone is lonely we may need to visit more often. If someone is suffering ill health we may need to take them to a doctor’s appointment. If someone is hurting, we should help. 

Practical Christianity means paying the cost to listen. It means investing in the lives of those we care about even when it is inconvenient to us.

It goes hand in hand with kindness. There was a group of businessmen in the USA who paid for a complete translation of the Jesus Film in Nigeria. They were excited to come and watch as the village heard the Gospel for the first time. The village was ‘over the moon’ excited. They cooked and planned and everyone came out to meet these men. Sadly, the Americans didn’t listen. They were told that fellowship was more important than time or money, and that they needed to not worry about the ‘agenda.’ But, when a hot trip in a car and getting stuck in a ‘go slow’ traffic jam meant they would arrive late, they turned around and flew out without ever making it to the village. If only they had listened, they would have known just how important it was that they show up for all those patiently waiting. Time is money but time is so much more.

Listening has a cost but it is practical Christianity. May we be a people who practise being quick to listen and slow to speak. May our hearing be seasoned with kindness.

Our song for today is God Who Listens by Chris Tomlin.