By Rose Shetler, director of annual giving and operations manager
Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a (NRSV)
Can a person teach others or “sustain the weary with a word” if they haven’t formed a listening and learning posture? To truly listen is to gain a body of knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Listen and learn the knowledge of writers and scholars. Listen and learn the wisdom of children, friends, mentors and elders full of years.
Turn listening inward for intimate conversations. Attend to the quiet stirrings of the Spirit of God within your spirit to gain understanding. Open your ear to yourself – what made you feel energized today? What made you sad or depleted?
Listen! You are God’s precious child; you will not be put to shame. Listen and receive God’s word and sustenance to face the difficulties of life. For unless your ear is tuned to hear that which is life-giving, harsh voices will crowd in saying, “Who do you think you are? You’re not good enough! Shame on you!” Rather, listen and learn that you are beloved by God.
How might God be asking you to open your ear today – to God’s voice, to others and to yourself?
Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a (NRSV)
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.