Lessons in the Holy Classroom: Listening Skills

Since January or so, Freedom's Call has been talking and planning with a church around Warner Robbins, GA. We've been praying and preparing for this weekend. A weekend where we will worship Jesus and dive into His word. Jill is teaching on Spiritual Breakthroughs. It is a powerful teaching and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous! (She has the worship team up on stools for part of a session for some "discussion" time. Mercy, I'm sweating just thinking about it!)

God has had all four of us in the Holy classroom as we prepare for this weekend. If I attempted to tell you a fraction of what has gone on in our lives the last few months, you would not believe it. Instead, I want to share something that is a little less intense. Something God has been reminding me of.

I'll just go ahead and say, if you know me in real life you know I struggle with this and I apologize. I KNOW it and God is working on it. Thanks. :)

I read a Proverb every day. As far back as I can remember I have done this. Even when I was not doing a serious quiet time with the Lord, I read the Proverb of the day. I love Proverbs.

So last Saturday, (after my first 6 mile run!) I settled into Proverbs 18. There are several "mouth" verses in this chapter that I love. A few of them were in my middle school girl's lesson last night. Saturday, I was thinking about how they all worked into that. When I came to verse 13 and knew it was time to stop and settle in for a few minutes. C.O.N.V.I.C.T.I.O.N.

Here it is from the ESV. (What I'm using this month)

"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

As if that wasn't enough, here it is in the Message.

"Answering before listening is both stupid and rude."

Yep. I have a bad habit of being stupid and rude. Especially with my husband.

Whoever said finishing each other's sentences is sweet and romantic and a sign of how close you are...well. They were lying.

Listening skills, along with an extra assignment in humility is what God is pressing into me.

Pretty appropriate since our Bible study girls start "Discerning the Voice of God" this evening. I'll probably need extra homework!