A seed of truth carefully planted.

 

A well-crafted word of specific encouragement. 

 

A gentle admonition.

 

An unexpected vulnerability that cut through sterile exchange. 

 

Vivid life memories and points of deep growth often center around meaningful, transformative conversation. Yet, attentive and thoughtful listening — which paves the path and opens the door to such an opportunity — seems to be a rare skill. We live in a world of possible interruptions and notifications. We avoid possible conflict with those we disagree with. It takes purposeful effort to quiet our inner monologue and commit to sustained attention. One must resist the urge to redraw the focus of conversation back to ourselves and delight more to understand than be understood.

Showing kindness toward others in this way reflects the very heart of our Heavenly Father who inclines his ear to us and listens to our voice (Ps 116:2), 55:17), welcomes us to His throne room (Heb 4:16), is lowly and gentle in heart (Matt 11:29), has come down from heaven and dwelt among us (John 1:14, 6:38), who is high yet regards the lowly (Ps. 138:6). 

As we enter into conversations prepared to listen well with the aim of love, we are then able to hear the questions, intentions, affections, hardships, values, and patterns of thinking that someone holds. We honor others who are fellow image-bearers of God, whose very lives were born in His thought and stories have been authored with purpose. Listening well helps us search for pathways to then speak to the heart, thus following the example of Christ. 

 

In John chapter 3, we are invited to listen in on a private conversation between the author of life and a man named Nicodemus. This Pharisee had come to Jesus by night, where there would be no possible distractions or pressing crowds, and under the cover of darkness. He was welcomed to sit down beside God in flesh, who knew the hearts of all men, and discuss the mysteries of Heaven. Jesus knew what was in Nicodemus’ heart and helped him wrestle to understand what it means to be born again. 

It seems to me a great honor — that as Jesus was sent from the Father, He would send us out as lights into the world, commissioned to speak the gospel. Out of all the ways God could have chosen to make the gospel known, it was His appointed way to spread the light of truth by Spirit-empowered human witness. 

 

So then — as we plant seeds of truth in faith that God would give growth, work to craft specific words of encouragement built upon His promises, gently admonish those we love, and step first toward a vulnerability that opens the door toward meaningful connection — may we: (1) listen well, and (2) search for the heart, trusting that the Spirit of God has gone before and the Word has the power to save.