Are You Saying - ?

The following statement may be acceptable to most people, even though it is challenging. This may be particularly so, if like me, you were brought up with a strong work ethic, even believing you will only get ‘somewhere’ by your own efforts.

The Kingdom of God is a magnificent thing, more valuable than anything we could ever own. If this is what we desire then we must be prepared to give up some things that are standing in the way. This is true, but I believe there is a truer interpretation of the verse quoted at the bottom of this post.

Are you saying to me that Someone
has been seeking me out all this time
and watching over me all these years
because he wants me more than anything else,
wants to lavish his love upon me for ever and ever
and has given up all that is precious, even his life?
For me?

Are you saying to me that this Someone
has a great longing for me and
thinks I am amazingly beautiful and lovable,
a rare treasure beyond compare?
What me?
With all my defects, warts, ugly thoughts and failings?
Me!!!!

This is too hard for me to understand
I just can’t get my head round it.
But somehow, it touches something deep down within me
more than I can say.
I ---

"Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl.” Matthew 13:45-46 Good News Bible

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Listening to Others

Before I begin I must make two things clear. Gravy is the brown liquid that's made from meat juices, stock and gravy browning, that you pour onto your roast beef. Custard is that peculiarly British concoction made from yellow powder and milk that you pour onto your pudding or desert. I'm not keen on either.

I found the family Sunday lunch as a boy was usually a stressful time. My mother who had slaved away in the kitchen to produce the feast hovered anxiously, wondering if it would meet with my father's approval and my little sister squirmed in her seat as she wouldn't eat her greens. Once my father had complained about the roast and the knife and had finished carving, he would settle down to tuck in. It was his habit to read the Sunday newspaper, eat and carry on a conversation, all at the same time. This particularly Sunday he was so engrossed in this multi-tasking, that when he reached out for the gravy he took hold of the wrong jug and poured custard on his meat. I was aware of the tension around the table, even thinking it could be my fault and couldn't get down soon enough. Don't worry, I have had prayer for this.

The point of the story is that, when we are listening to someone, they deserve our full attention. That chance meeting may seem inconvenient, but it could be God-arranged. Just for a moment we may need to forget our busy schedule and set aside our own agenda. Nothing else matters except that person in front of us.

I am so aware that I need to put myself out of the frame and avoid the temptation to come in quickly with my own experience. There may be no need to speak or answer, but just listen with my heart and mind. I know that on the occasions when I have been listened to, when what I said was accepted without question and there was a degree of tuning-in and understanding, I left feeling warmed and valued.

This is one of the greatest gifts we can give another. I also believe this is one of the greatest needs within the world, our communities and in the church, but sadly it's also one of the greatest lacks.

Let's give this precious gift today!

“The first duty of love is to listen.” Paul Tillich

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." Winston Churchill

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?" Mark 4:23 The Message Bible

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