“Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19, NIV).
Do you want your children to talk to you and tell you what is in their heart? I do, but sometimes my mouth gets in the way. Too often, I open it while they are still speaking. I give advice when all they want is a listening ear. I want to “fix” their problems. I want to tell them what to do and how to live their lives.
Often, when I pray, I wish God would speak to me in an audible voice and give me direction. Although I know people who have heard God’s audible voice, I have not. Yet, God always listens. He listens to me for as long as I want to talk to Him. When I ask God for His comments, He puts them into my heart in ways that are not bossy or hard to understand.
God always waits until I ask before giving me His advice. If we want to learn to be like our Heavenly Father, we need to learn to listen.
Kimberly Snider works at Asia Pacific Media Ministries where she coordinates publications and advertising as well as produces many of the instructional materials that accompany video teaching series. Kimberly ministers at women’s retreats and media training workshops. Kim is a former schoolteacher. She has a BA from the University of Illinois and a MA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
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