07-19-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 19, 2024
In the book, On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion, there are a couple of sentences that caught my attention. It says,

“Listening requires surrendering. It means courage, asking that we put aside our preconceived expectations and abandon our present stations.”

In the last 48 hours, I have heard a lot of people use the word courage, but it has most often been in very aggressive ways, even suggesting abusive power over other people. In the book, you will find different words around courage, such as surrender, risk, vulnerability, and humility. Jesus was very much in the business of choosing the alternative way; the path rarely even noticed by the culture of Jesus’ day and our current culture. Of course, some people might be laughing at the quote from the book, as surrendering and courage are associated with listening, but choosing to listen with openness and empathy is courageous, even dangerous.

Give me the strength and courage, O Gracious God, so I can honor the person before me with ears willing to truly listen. Amen.