Ok I'll listen...but hurry, I have something to say!

James 1:19
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

I have to confess, this scripture gets me sometime. I have struggled with the speed at which I listen.

Quick to listen, slow to speak…

I get the quick part.
I’m quick.
Quick to form and opinion.
Quick to spout off what I’m thinking.
Quick with a sassy come back.
Quick to finish someone’s sentence before they can get the words out of their mouth…oh, just hesitate a second and I’ll take care of it for you.

But, quick to listen, and slow to speak… surely that is someone else's calling.
(low pitch-loud-annoying buzzing sound) Wrong answer!

James even said in v. 19, “take note of this.”
Ok, I understand taking notes, I carry a notebook with me at all times because when I get an idea or remember something, I have to write it down or it’s gone.

James knew that about me, so he said- take note.
Write it down girlfriend because you WILL forget this one.

The Amplified version says that we should be “a ready listener.”

A ready listener, I like that. It puts me in an active stance instead of feeling that I am just a passive listener.

People have stories to tell and I have realized lately that when I take the time
to listen, I am deeply touched. It may be something that I need to hear or it
may be that the Lord wants to use my experiences to help them through a
struggle.

The point is, if I don’t take the time to listen, I’ll never know.

I have a feeling that I’m not the only one who might deal with this. So, let’s commit together to work on this. Yes, we have a lot to say…but so do others.

If we take the time to listen, we might find that the Lord has something quite important to say to us.

Here are a couple more thoughts from God’s Word about listening:
Prov 19:20
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
NIV

Prov 22:17
17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise
NIV

And of course, the most important One that we should take the time to listen to
is our Lord.
John 10:27
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and
they follow Me.
NKJV
The more time we spend in His Word and prayer, the
more we will recognize His voice, and the closer we will follow.

Father,
Help us to place value on others by taking the time to listen to them. Don’t let us fall into a selfish trap of thinking that our words are more important than anyone elses.
And most of all Lord, help us to know Your voice and follow none other.
Give us a hunger to know You more deeply and spend time in Your Word and prayer.
Thank you for Your faithfulness in our lives, may our listening heart be a beautiful reflection of You Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen