What People Need is a Good Listening To

"To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald

I can vividly remember one evening, when I was about seven years old, hearing my grandfather and my dad yelling at one another in our kitchen. I went in to see what all of the fuss was about, and there, seated at one end of the dinner table was my grandfather, and my dad was seated at the other end. Typically, any yelling in the house took place between my brother and I but this yell fest took place during the heart of the Watergate scandal. My dad was a Republican, and my grandfather was a Democrat. What they were yelling at one another was about whether Nixon was guilty as charged. I don't recall the outcome of the argument, but that memory has left an indelible mark on my life. They were a perfect example of what it looks like when people aren't listening to one another. 

We are now 119 days until the Presidential election. I don't know if you have picked up on this or not, but there is a lot of yelling going on these days. If you just take a casual glance at the nightly news or briefly surf social media, you will find no shortage of people yelling at one another. Bullhorns, signs, and social media platforms all make for giant megaphones. Drowning out the voice of others seems to be the American way these days as everyone wants to make sure their voice is heard. 

As a way of battling the torrential verbal tirade that is constantly droning in our ears, earlier this year Pastor Mackenzie Matthews and I crafted an "Election Year Liturgy." It serves as a beckoning of the Lord to have His way with us and to also gently remind us that He is in control. An excerpt of it is below:

Many people are yelling, Lord. Pride feels loud, slander seems natural, deception flows, and fear has taken over.
Where the evil one divides, Lord unify.
Where the evil one lies, Lord bring truth.
Where the evil one destroys, Lord redeem and renew.

It's okay to passionately argue one's point, but I like what author Cathy Burnham Martin says,

"Some people believe that if they yell and scream, others will get the point of just how serious they are. For me, all I get is the point of just how out of control that someone is."

In spite of the daily bellowing that roars across our airwaves, I believe there is still hope for civil discourse. And it would do us all good to remember the words of James the brother of Jesus who once said:

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
— James 1:19

A lot of trouble could be avoided in our world if people would listen first before reacting. My wife and I have two friends, Matt and Julie, who are both counselors and wonderful listeners. They just love to sit and visit and talk and listen. They embody the sign that sits on an end table in their living room that reads, "What people need is a good listening to." They are of the belief the best way to edify and show value to others is to simply listen.

Let me close with the words of another stanza in this liturgy:

Amidst the rancor that is punctuated by drowning out the voices of others
May I be quick to listen and slow to speak today.
Amidst turmoil and confusion
May I hunger and thirst for righteousness today.
Amidst a culture that seeks to find the worst in people
May I be pure in heart today.
Amidst fighting and turmoil
May I be a maker of peace today/

Good words to read. Now, let's go put them into practice.