Have your ever read Bonhoffer’s classic book, Life Together? I was reminded this week of the section in this book about the ministry of listening. In it he reminds us that “there are many times when ‘listening can be a greater service than speaking.” Why is it that we know this and yet for some of us it’s not always easy to live it out. One of his most challenging statements is this, “He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life. . . . Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only for himself and for his own follies.” May I reflect Your heart of love by listening, really listening, to the people who come across my path today, Lord. It is my prayer.
