My dear brothers, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

Did you catch the rhythm in those verses? One quick; two slows. Most of us go through life, though, with the order of this passage reversed. We’re quick to anger, faster still to speak and slow to listen. But James is telling us that effective communication doesn’t work that way.   A lot of people have LDD—Listening Deficit Disorder. We’re so busy trying to say what’s on our minds that we miss out on what others are saying. But by interrupting, over-talking and dominating every conversation, we’re missing out on what God wants us to experience; we’re missing opportunities to grow and learn.  It is virtually impossible to listen when you’re talking. When your mouth is running, the listening stops. And the same thing can happen when it comes to our relationship with God. Don’t get so busy telling God what you want him to do that you miss listening to what he’s trying to tell you.

Dear God, I know that you have a rhythm for my life. And I know that part of that rhythm includes me slowing down long enough to listen. Help me to listen to you each and every day. And as I do, help me experience all that you have in store for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.