I love to talk. I have loved to talk since I was a wee tike. And this trait has caused me trouble many times.
The problem with talking is that the talker is not listening. Real communication only happens if there is listening AND talking. Ideas must be expressed and absorbed. Both the listener and the talker must be validated. This is a concept most of us understand at some level, even if we do far too much talking. Our friends and family put up with our chatter. Others probably only half-heartedly pay attention to our verbiage.
During my quiet time today, I reflected about how I communicate with God. Am I doing all of the talking? Am I allowing God to talk to me?
My day is full of activities, and I often have a tight schedule. Usually I say a perfunctory prayer telling God what I want from him. I fail to ask God what he wants me to do. What is God’s plan? I fail to seek his advice. I fail to sit quietly listening for God to guide me. I just do my talking, say “Amen,” and start to buzz around completing the tasks on my list.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Proverbs 18:2
I wonder how my life would change if I talked less. I especially wonder what blessing I am missing because I often do not take time to listen to God.
Do you quietly listen for God, waiting for him to give you insight, as part of your prayer time?