Weekly Devotional - "What People Hear Us Say Is . . . " 2/9/2015

written by Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

What People Hear Us Say Is . . .

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Just because we can hear, doesn’t mean we really listen. And even when we do listen, it doesn’t mean we really hear what is being said. Being an active listener takes work. And one of the many tips toward engaged listening is to provide feedback.

• What I’m hearing you say is . . .
• It sounds like you are saying . . .
• What do you mean when you say?

Paul told the church in Corinth that they were living letters. They were physical, living, and breathing messages that declared Christ and were being read by everyone. Our lives bring the message!

The thing is, just because people can see our lives, doesn’t mean they really understand. And even when they do see, it doesn’t mean they get what is being said. For those actively watching and listening to the message of our lives, think about potential feedback. Are they asking aloud or to themselves:

• When I see you worry about everything, what I hear you say about God is . . .
• When I see your negative attitude or unforgiving spirit, what it sounds like you are saying about God is . . .
• When you have a problem with your church, what do you mean to say about God?

When people hear what we never meant to say, we must admit again that we can’t do this thing on our own. To be a letter from Christ, it must be written by the Spirit of the living God. Messengers God can use fully depend on the power of God for how they live the message and how people understand it.

Send Me: Ask a friend, co-worker, or neighbor, “What do you hear about God from the way I live?”

You are a letter from God to the world. People around you read the Gospel According To You every day. What does it say? — Phil Moore