Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday May 4, 2010

One of my favorite songs is titled, "I'll Be Somewhere Listening" as it conveys the importance of listening in order to be aware of the fact that God will/is calling my name.

By listening for the voice of the Lord we recognize that we don't know everything, and we are open to gain wisdom, guidance and comfort from the Lord.

This same principle of "listening" when someone is speaking is also good advice as I have experienced the truth expressed by Emerson when he wrote:

"Every man is my superior in that I may learn from him."

While I did not care much for his lifestyle, I love Hemingway's writing. And Ernest stated it well when he wrote:

"When people talk, listen completely."

I have been a speaker for the bulk of my life, and my first order of business is to develop a style that people will listen to. It is my responsibility to arrest attention and hold it. Actually when I am speaking I must arrest and re-arrest attention. Every speaker knows this and uses different methods to accomplish this feat. Conversely, I have learned to glean many truths from "poor" speakers in that while their delivery is mind numbing, the subject/information is worth the pain of forced disciplined listening. I read a book way back when that actually taught readers how to listen effectively. It has proved a worthwhile borrow and read.

In Psalm 46: 10 addressed to Alamoth, the Soprano Choir, the writer instructed:

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

For today's purpose I am focusing on the first phrase, Be still and know. That we live in the hurried age is well documented and that we are paying a terrible price, even prior to nationalized health care is readily observable.

Take some time today and close your mind to the hustle and bustle around you and listen, listen intently. You may be surprised beyond belief.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit.

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