Pam's Perambulation

…and one mouth.  Use them in proportion

So goes one of Mr Pamsperambulation’s favourite sayings.  Meaning listen more than you speak.

This seems to be a sentiment that the author of James would agree with.  Be quick to listen and slow to speak.  It’s difficult to hear someone else if you’re busy trying to add your two pennerth.  But submit to God, and accept the word he puts in your heart is very wise advice.  Don’t jump in with our thoughts.  Listen to what someone is saying, and listen even more carefully to what God is saying about it.

The only opinion worth sharing is God’s.  That way we stand a chance of meeting the third criteria – be slow to become angry.  Our anger doesn’t achieve God’s purpose.  Hearing what he wants to say, and doing something about it might.

This is reinforced by what Jesus says.  The powers that be are complaining about the disciples eating without washing their hands.  This offends their religious sensibilities about keeping age-old traditions. They are quick to anger, and quick to speak about it.  But Jesus reminds them that they are missing the point.  It’s not about keeping traditions and being seen to do the right thing – it’s about really doing the right thing – what’s going on in your heart.  What comes out of our lives it what makes us unclean, that is what we need to focus on.

So we are called to think carefully before saying anything.  To listen to those around us.  To spend time really hearing what God is saying – and then act on that.

~ by pamjw on August 27, 2009.

Posted in God, Lectionary
Tags: God, Lectionary, listen