So recently I’ve had a revelation that has simply Blown. My. Mind. Are you ready? Wait for it….here it is: I am not an expert on every topic. I know, it’s rocked my world, too. But here’s what’s happening… So lately we’ve been on the road alot. It seems like everywhere we go, whenever we are with friends, one particular topic is always up for discussion. If you’d have asked me a few months ago, I had some very definite opinions on this topic that I was more than willing to share (because I assumed I had the right perspective.). Being an opinionated woman, I thought everyone should hear my perspective. Only now, I’m not so sure. What changed my mind? Hearing other people’s perspective. You see, it turns out that there is information of which I was not aware. Hearing other people’s facts (not opinions) and looking at the topic from the angle of their experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am not as much of an authority on the topic as I like to think I am. Hence, I’ve made a decision. Whenever it comes to this topic (and perhaps a few more topics) I’m going to stop talking and start listening. (I guess you can call it a “listening tour”) I’ve decided to listen and learn from the wiser, more mature people I come in contact with, to keep my opinions to myself, and spend more time in prayer and less time airing my own opinions. As I’ve made this decision, I’ve been thinking about Proverbs 17:28 which says: “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” (NLT) And James 1:19 which says: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (NIV) What a novel idea: slow to speak and quick to listen. It may be different, but I’m going to give it a try. Why am I sharing this with you? Well, as I’ve been on my own personal journey, I’ve also been thinking about the fact that we live in a world that talks too much. As Proverbs 18:2 would say, there are too many fools airing their own opinions. We see it everyday on social media—-people thinking they are the ultimate authority on every topic, spewing some of the most hateful, angry language imaginable over topics that are quite frankly above their pay grade. No, I’m not trying to shut down anyone’s right to free speech or deny anyone the right to have their own opinion. I’m just suggesting that perhaps we don’t always need to exercise our rights on the possibility that we might be wrong. (That’s a good line isn’t it??? LOL). Perhaps from time to time we all need to take a cue from the wisdom of the Bible and stop talking, talking, talking, and try listening. —-To another person’s perspective —-To the wisdom of an older person with more experience —-To the actual facts of a case rather than how the circumstances make us feel Most importantly, to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He tries to speak truth into our lives or maybe even just convicts us with a simple, “Stop talking and be quiet.” That’s what I’m going to try doing in my own life. To listen more and talk less. To accept the fact that I don’t know everything and instead do all that I can to learn so that when I do speak it will be the speech of the wise, not just the rambling of my own opinions. Who’s with me?
To Read More from Adessa, read Finding Healing,
