Philippians 2:4 (NASB95)
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
I thought I had learned to listen. But more times than I will admit to myself I think of what I am going to say to someone while they are still talking. Not as much as thirty years ago when I started on this listening journey but choosing to think about what I am going to say next still interferes many times with deep, empathetic listening and understanding. I have no trouble appreciating how important what I have to say is :>) But if I am going to treat others as I want to be treated why can’t I equally value what you have to say? Clearly I am still the center of my universe and have much to learn from Jesus about the value I truly give others in my crowded consciousness. Crowded by the Big Three: Me, Myself, and I. Crowding out you.
I can be watching the stupidest TV show and my son will start excitedly telling me something. I will struggle to look him in the eyes and give him my full attention. I will have the pull on my consciousness that something terribly important is happening on that stupid TV show the whole time my son is pouring out his heart to me, his only earthly dad. I value my son and what he has to share with me. The TV show is, was, and will be forever stupid. Yet I struggle in the moment my son is talking to me to see those values clearly.
In the movie “The Shift” the devil defines evil. And this is the only time the devil told the truth. He defined all evil as simple “selfishness.” Other people are an intrusion on My Plans and I just don’t have time for them. Not if I want to get what I want. That reminds me of Jesus saying, If you seek to save your life you will lose it, and if you lose your life for Me you will save it. If I get what I want I will realize it is worthless and it will crumble like ashes in my hands. But if I realize the interruptions of others are God’s divine appointments and it is where True Life happens I can listen to and truly hear others and share the love of Jesus with them and together we three (you, me, and Jesus) can reap joy.
I AM for You! 