Before you head off into your weekend, here are three things that I have read and been thinking about this week. Hope they are as hopeful for you as they have been for me.
#1
Good conversation is a courtesy, a kindness, a form of caritas that has as its deepest implicit intention binding one another together in understanding and love.
Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre
You know when you leave a good conversation. It is life affirming. It is relationship strengthening. Good conversation it is a decision we make. Good conversation is being courteous and kind and loving to create time to listen to another person. We all can do that.
#2
People want to be sure you heard what they said—they’re less focused on whether or not you do what they said.
Tribes by Seth Godin
“First seek to understand, then to be understood” is how Steven Covey described truly listening. How often do we listen mainly to figure out how to respond? Laying down our need to look smart or wise is imperative to being a good listening. What I have often found is that the less I try…the better my responses are anyway.
#3
I frequently tell my students that quite a high proportion of what I say is probably wrong, or at least flawed or skewed in some way which I do not at the moment realize. The only problem is that I do not know which bits are wrong; if I did I might do something about it….
The New Testament and the People of God – N.T. Wright
If world-class New Testament scholar N.T. Wright admits that he can be wrong and change his thinking over time then how much more might we consider that posture. But let’s face it…certainty sells… particularly in this day and time. Saying, “I am not sure” looks weak when it may be the strongest posture to take. Changing our mind is called flip-flopping not courageous. How often do we close off our minds to something (or someone) who makes us uncomfortable? We simply “make up our mind” and begin defending our position instead of allowing the Holy Spirit space to work. It may surprise some of you (and others will not be shocked at all) that my sermons are not ready by Sunday morning at 8:30. I attempt to stay open to the Spirit of truth, conviction, and comfort the entire morning. And it scares me to death. I believe it is fear that drives us to rush to choose the comfort of certainty over seeking truth no matter how long it takes. Fear of looking weak. Fear of having to change. Fear of admitting we were wrong. I pray we all may have the courage to humbly admit that we might from time to time be wrong and be willing to rethink.
todd nelson 