Perfect storm. There was a movie by that name. Weather systems hit all at one time and the fishing vessel with George Clooney and others went down.
It is used to describe a situation where 2 or 3 or more events all come together at the same time. Like today’s Scripture and devotional reading.
Pastor Greg Laurie’s Everyday With Jesus spoke about listening. He brought out about the night Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16) and were singing in the night. It says the prisoners were listening. The Greek word for listening means “to listen very, very carefully.”
Add to that the devotion by the late David Powlison in Take Heart-Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith where he talked about listening. His devotion was about listening to people, instead of always talking.
Perfect storm. Different subjects. But still a perfect storm.
How many times have you listened but not really heard? There is no doubt we live in an age of talking heads. Opinions fly, but real listening is absent.
When it comes to the Bible, we love to chatter. But do we stop to listen? Have we asked God to speak to us through His Word when we sit down to read? As we read, are we also listening?
When people talk, do we listen? Or are we already thinking of what we are going to say next? G.U.I.L.T.Y. Are we incessant talkers or alert listeners? Pr. 10:19 says, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (wise).” (ESV) Or how about Pr. 17:28-“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (ESV) Insert Abe Lincoln’s quote here. “It is better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
Some people (to quote that great ’60s philosopher Tommy James) “talk and signify and say nothing.” (Quote from song “Talking and Signifying” circa 1970).
Truth:
The Bible says repeatedly that we grow and change only by listening, not by talking. (Powlison-Jan.18)
Let’s listen more. Talk less.
