quick to listen

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from James (one of my fav books in the Bible) 1:19-2:17. James tells us to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to get angry. All three of those things, taken separately, are great advice. Put them together and you've got a great strategy for how to interact with people on the internet.

I've got a reminder on my phone. Every day at 7pm my phone pops a message onto my screen that says, "Shut up and listen!" Not just because it's kind. Not just because God tells us to. But because life is better when you do this. (Life is also better when we're kind and do what God tells us to in general, but this is especially true in this case.) When you listen, you learn. When you listen, you step into the perspective of the person speaking. You see their point. You realize that you're not always 100% right about everything. You appreciate the beauty of another person and their viewpoint.

So take James's advice, and my phone's. Shut up and listen.

You'll be glad you did.

God, thanks for teaching us to be quick to listen, and slow to speak.