When you get into a rhythm through the conditioning of an activity over an extended period of time, it’s hard to get off that rhythm.
It’s also interesting how getting into that conditioning can change things for you as far as your appreciation and sensitivity to things are.
When people talk to me about wisdom, I’m now minded to think about how this quality is focused on endeavouring to shape thoughts, words and actions around that which makes for peace. Getting into that kind of being sometimes calls me to make active choices when it comes to what I do when someone says or does something.
For example, I can be known for reacting to things. I know it. I can see myself doing it. I can see myself doing it, for example, when someone was explaining something and making a reference to something as though what they were saying was a certified guaranteed godly way of viewing things. I remember instantly my face scrunched up as though someone had released a rather pungent toxin in the atmosphere. Never like it when people speak with such great assurance about something for which it’s probably best to take some time checking to see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be. That reaction is not subtle either and onlookers can pick that up and suss that things aren’t right.
I am not suggesting that I don’t react like that from time to time. I am realising, however, that for the sake of peace and what’s right, there can be better responses to give. To help with that is a word of wisdom about what to do with what you hear.
That word of wisdom started with the suggestion that it was important first of all to hear it twice. That does not always need you to require it be said again, although if that would help it’s worth asking for the repeat. What it does mean is giving the comment the benefit of a second listen just to ascertain what it is you’re hearing. Easy to jump on something quickly only to discover that you did not hear it properly the first time. Also if you do ask for a repeat that might clarify a lot or at least give the basis to confirm what you thought you heard the first time.
The word of wisdom goes on to recommend a period of processing once what has been heard has been taken in twice. There is something about the Spirit of God that can allow you to see things from a perspective and with an insight that can often be missed if left up to reasoning and rationalising. That’s why it’s good to take what’s been said and hold it up the light of Jesus and see what there is to be seen. In that light there can be just as much about you exposed as there is about what has been said. Prejudices, biases, snobbery, fear, anxiety, misunderstanding, selfishness – all that stuff can come out when time is taken to process the something. And by process that doesn’t have to be agonising over the something for hours and hours. It’s just giving what’s been said the respect of a proper inner consultation period.
That’s going to be necessary for as the word of wisdom concludes, whatever has been said needs to be graced with a response. Having gone through those steps it would not be a backlash reaction that’s heavily self-centred. By that time it should be saturated in the peaceful, gracious considered and righteous atmosphere for it to have all that’s required to be given. Sometimes that response can even be to do nothing and leave it to others who know better to deal with it, which could be a case of leaving it to God Himself to come through in the fullness of time. Other times it can just be an act of compliance as the appropriate humble and obedient answer. Indeed other times that obedience, humility could involve actively resisting what’s been said and going in a better direction.
Yes, humility and obedience may call on you to go in a different direction to that which is suggested by what is said. It’s not for everyone to understand, but it is for you to take comfort and consolation knowing that once you have exercised the wisdom in being quick to listen and slow to speak, you’re more than likely to be on the right track.
(Photo by Cody Board on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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