great listeners

You're not going to believe it, but I think the Bible predicted Twitter, thousands of years ago.

Check this out:

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions."
- Proverbs 18:2

Okay, I know, I know: it's human nature. But here's the challenge for me this week: am I better at talking than I am at listening? Do I have conversations when I'm planning which intelligent zinger I should say next, instead of taking in what the other person is actually saying?

One of the current themes at the heart of The Gate Worship is what I'm starting to call the 'power of less', finding the 'moments between the moments' and using spaces more effectively. We'll come back to that, don't worry, but a part of it I think, is learning how to listen much better. At least for me!

There is definitely pleasure to be found in understanding - not just information, data, music theory or quiz facts, but understanding each other. You're put together in an extraordinary way, and there are bound to be depths to who you are, that nobody fully realises yet. You're awesome! And one of the greatest pursuits in life is finding out how awesome, how deep and how surprising another human being can be. As team, as community, as family, as people, our goal is to be great at exactly that.

So, today's question: Do you take delight in understanding? Are you brilliant at sharing your own opinions? How well do you take on board those of other people? Do you have conversations where you're truly listening to the other person?

Let's be great listeners. Even on Twitter.