When was the last time that you were told that you were a good listener?  When was the last time that you really set aside your own responses, solutions, or critiques in order to really listen and connect with whoever you were talking to?  So many of the conversations that we see in the news between political groups and on social media don’t involve listening to anyone else outside their camp.  We are living in a time where we are more likely to revile, scream at, dismiss, and treat with contempt people outside of our comfort zones of shared beliefs, customs, and values rather than listening to people who are suffering.

This week, we’re looking at the biblical priority of listening, and it is my belief that we are really bad at listening.  Why?  Because true listening requires us to put ourselves on hold.  It requires us to meet people right where they are, to learn about their experiences, and to care for them even when we might disagree with them.  In short, true listening requires us to exhibit the Gospel to those around us.  And as much as I love you all, we know that we are more often than not selfish and sinful.

And that’s just listening to each other, not even mentioning listening to the Lord.  And so, this Sunday, we’re going to look at Isaiah 55 to see how the Gospel enables us to listen well, because we can be better listeners of others and of the Lord.  Come ready to see how listening leads us to our savior, to repentance, to perspective, and to worship.  See you then.