There’s only one gospel, but there’s more than one way to share it. You wouldn’t want your doctor to rush to a diagnosis and treatment of your condition before listening to your description of your pain. That’s a formula for the unnecessary removal of some necessary parts!
When we do all the talking and expect others to do all the listening we tend to provide answers to questions they’re not asking. That’s not what I call being a good witness.
A person can say a lot by listening, especially if they listen with the intent to understand rather than with the intent merely to reply. One of the best gifts we can give to people is the gift of attention. Maybe we should advertise in our churches or set up tables on street corners that say: “Free Attention Giveaways!”
– Originally published in Reaching Rahab: Joining God In His Quest For Friends the profits of which go to YWAM San Francisco.
barney wiget 