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As a teacher, I try to practice 'active listening'. It's a skill that new teachers need to learn, and it's also one that students should practice. 'Active listening' means you are focused on the person talking to you. You try to make what is being said meaningful to you. You restate things in your own words to make sure you understand them. Sometimes you take notes. When it comes to my relationship with God, I'm definitely a student, and one who wants to learn as much as he can. I try to practice 'active listening' in church … I want the Word of God to mean something in my life, and I want to make use of what I learn during the rest of the week. If I listen passively, and just let the words flow past me, it's too easy to not get the message. And I want the message … I need it. So I pay attention. I listen carefully to what is being said, and I try to figure out ways to apply what I'm learning to my own life, in order to bring my thoughts and actions closer to what God expects of me. Sometimes I take notes. Often I'll come home from church and write about what I've learned. I learn and remember best when I can explain what I've learned in my own words. Many, many times I've been amazed when the sermon seems to be aimed right at me; the Pastor seems to know what problems and difficulties I've been having, and it's as if his words were crafted just to help me personally. I know that this is because I share the same worries and concerns as others, and the Pastor knows exactly what those are … but the experience is sometimes uncanny. He seems to know exactly which of God's words are needed most, when I need them. I also find it fun to do the same sort of 'active listening' during the singing. Many of the often-sung songs have come to mean a lot to me, and I always try to translate the words into things that are meaningful in my own life … things I need to take with me when I walk out of church. I haven't been able to attend church recently, although I do try to tune in to the Youtube broadcasts of the services from my own church and others. I miss the fellowship a lot … but I have God with me wherever I am, and that's sustaining me. Writing things like this helps too. |