Today’s Reflection
Observing, noticing, listening: These practices can keep us from making false assumptions about people and about our mission field. Our ears can keep us from answering questions no one is really asking, so that we can get to the ones they are asking. Listening also wins us favor with folks who generally appreciate it when we take a heartfelt interest in them. Little wonder that Jesus drew others into his mission: They felt heard.
Immanuel, “God with us,” was more than a bumper-sticker slogan in Galilee. People experienced a deep connection with Jesus because he listened.
—Ben Ingebretson, Plant Like Jesus: The Church Planter’s Devotional (Upper Room Books, 2020)
Today’s Question
Who do you need to listen to more closely in order to develop a deeper connection?
Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
[Jesus] said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”
—Luke 11:28 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Teach me, Lord Jesus, to listen as you did. Help me to be slow to speak, slow to judge, and quick to hear. Open my ears so that I can sense both the cry for help around me and your Spirit more clearly, that I might follow you more completely. I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Ben Ingebretson, Plant Like Jesus
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
We invite you to listen as Pat Luna, retreat leader for The Academy for Spiritual Formation at Camp Sumatanga, reflects on how she is finding—rather than creating—daily life with God. Take a moment to listen here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
God. I have trouble being still and listening to him. I have no trouble with people, but I guess I am not patient or persistent enough with the Lord.
I have finalyy found a group of podcasts that resonate with me. For the longest time I tried ones that Megan suggested and envied others who espoused the virtue of podcasts. Well, now that I have stumbled on ones that are more in tune with my values and interests, I finally understand their popularity..
Prayers for Ally’s mental health evaluation to go well and may it help her disability application be approved. Prayers for Jill’s and Roger’s health, may Jill remain Covid free and may Roger continue to improve. Prayers for Robert, may his bid for the new house be accepted.
Today’s scripture is the prescription for the best way to listen. I need to do more to follow it. Our minds are listening to the rapidly rising house prices and interest rates and we will take a break from house hunting. The best offer we could make was not successful. Thankful we own a property and have a lower interest rate than what is currently available. A little R&R after our trip is needed. Thankful too that our concerns about our car were met for the trip, but soon will be dealt with. Glad to read posts before mine. Prayers for Jill and Roger, their health issues, Ally&David, their well-being, finances, and health. Prayers for Julie. Your comments are appreciated, continued progress with health, good wishes for your cats. You are very humble, that’s a blessing.. Lots of clouds here today, more wind expected later. Thankful there is sun too.
Thank You, Lord. We are safe at home, have much to be thankful for.
I just finished listening to a podcast and the speaker was sitting in a rocking chair with two kittens on her lap telling her story of opening her heart. I thought of you, Julie. She demonstrated her message of love in her connection with her kittens, petting them, hugging them, responding to their inquisitive paws. It was just beautiful and even though she spoke in a different language, I could hear her message as I watched and read the subtitles at the bottom of the screen. I was drawn to listen without taking a sip of coffee or looking away. I am inspired to listen to others and hear what they are saying so that I can respond as Jesus would.
This Easter brought so many blessings of newness/resurrection as our family visited with their little girl. Her mind was open and she looked, listened, and responded. I was filled with joy to see these new seeds of inquiry sprouting up to make her the girl she was becoming!!
Prayers for all, we are Easter people, God’s alive, spread the Word!!
I try to listen well to my students, when I have them one on one. But I know that often my mind is thinking of tasks which I need to complete. I try to remember the patience Christ had with so many He encountered. I want my students to feel heard. Hopefully this time away has been refreshing and my patience level is full up!
I would be very interested to know what Podcasts are being listened to by this group.
I can’t remember if I shared earlier in the week – but I was given a Holter monitor today to monitor my heart activity for the next 24 hours. It is bulkier than I anticipated and has 5 leads. Dad and I are playing golf in the morning – it shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance, I hope.
An early dinner with my friend, a trip across the street from the restaurant to a bakery and then back to her house to go through the next chapter of our book and to see her dogs. I didn’t walk with them afterwards, as I needed to get home to Roger. Mild temps today. 80s the next two days – we are ready!!
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