Less Shouting, More Listening
How I love to shout,
to share my opinions,
to make it sound
as if I have all the answers
and know everything.
I think I am right
and anyone who thinks differently
is wrong.
And I don’t want to hear
anything else.
But if I will just hear
that other voice,
your voice,
speaking,
teaching,
guiding,
even rebuking,
I would learn so much,
be so different;
know your ways
become more like you,
be a much more useful person
and save myself
a lot of grief.
Lord,
help me to listen.
Still me,
quieten me,
that I may hear the other,
you
and know what you think
– which is so much more important,
so much better,
so right.
Proverbs 1:20-33 (CEV)
Wisdom Speaks
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets
wherever crowds gather.
21 She shouts in the marketplaces
and near the city gates
as she says to the people,
22 “How much longer
will you enjoy
being stupid fools?
Won’t you ever stop sneering
and laughing at knowledge?
23 Listen as I correct you
and tell you what I think.
24 You completely ignored me
and refused to listen;
25 you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26 “So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,
27 or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28 You will ask for my help,
but I won’t listen;
you will search,
but you won’t find me.
29 No, you would not learn,
and you refused
to respect the Lord.
30 You rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
31 “Now you will eat the fruit
of what you have done,
until you are stuffed full
with your own schemes.
32 Sin and self-satisfaction
bring destruction and death
to stupid fools.
33 But if you listen to me,
you will be safe and secure
without fear of disaster.”
Pam's Perambulation 