I overheard a conversation between an aspiring tennis player and an experienced coach. The coach was a person of few words, but very wise words. The student was a talker. He dominated the conversation, talking about his problems, his shortcomings, his strengths, what happened when he last played tennis, and on and on. To get feedback one must share background, of course, but there comes a point when we need to be quiet and listen. He never got to that point. He just kept talking! He could have greatly benefited from hearing what this coach had to say, but he was so busy talking about himself and thinking about himself, that he never gave him a chance to talk and share. He didn’t benefit from the coach’s expertise.
I try to remember this lesson when seeking help from others. If they know more than me about a topic, it’s to my benefit to be quiet and listen. I do not grow from regurgitating information I already know. I grow when I open thought to new insight.
This is a rule to practice with friends and neighbors, but even more, with God!! The one all-knowing Mind of God always knows more than we do. To benefit, we need to listen. It’s the quicker way to grow!
“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” (I Samuel 3:9, NLT).
Great Reminder Evan, I have often wished I would have shut up long enough to get some wise counsel. Listening to something tonight along these lines telling us that scientific research shows that those who are not focused on self but altruism live longer happier lives. – What a surprise eh. – This also shows me that as people may not be flocking to Christian Science Churches the Biblical Truths about loving others and the fact we are all one and other of Mary Baker Eddy’s discoveries are still working their way into the masses.
Thank you Dinah – and particularly for your comment about why people don’t seem to be flocking to C.S churches. We can be sure then that the Truth and the Love is in action, and working its way into the hearts of the people in our communities – and in all the world as well. It is good to hold to this and not despair. Truth and Love cannot be overthrown, and we can listen and follow, confident that what we are doing in our churches has all the power of God directing it, and it will achieve its purpose. Materialism cannot overpower God’s omnipotent spiritual law of Truth and Love, and the people will be drawn to listen and learn.
I have had this phrase keep coming to me recently: “Wait patiently for divine Mind to move
on the waters of mortal mind and form the perfect concept.” (Science & Health) That means to me, listening and putting into practice what we are learning. We are not all led to serve a tennis ball, but we are all led to serve God, who is Love.
Thanks you Maggie for your comment “We are all led to serve God..”. On Sunday I take food to a homeless encampment before church.. These dear people are so grateful to feel cared for in a simple way..
Later sitting in Church I looked up at the big letter on the wall “GOD IS LOVE” and I thought that is our best gift to the world- living that live.
That is a lovely thing to do, John. And certainly the best gift to the world is
living that love, as you are obviously doing. Thank you.
“Be still and know that I am God”
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/blnp66ad8c?s=copylink
Thank you, Evan. I want to also thank you, Fay, for posting this beautiful article. The writer took us through the angst and anguish, and tears, that are often experienced when we try to find our way through troubles on our own. The article was beautifully written, sharing the healing power of our hymns, and the importance of finding peace before moving forward. God shows us the way and oh the joy and satisfaction that comes when we “walk ye in it.” Thank you.
Thank you Fay – that is a brilliant article about letting go of our fears and human efforts, and
turning wholeheartedly to God – thus finding that all our needs are already met and that we
can fully trust that God is with us and knows our needs, and is supplying them.
Thank you Evan for sharing your insights. A fave Bible verse of mine Ps61:2 “when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” We have to listen to directions from the experienced more knowledgeable leader be lead whether it be on a hike, on a group project, on a vacation tour… and on our journey to our higher self and experience .
Listening to the thoughts shared here is so special. I gain so much from others who
share, and appreciate it so much .. It is nice to be able to actually Learn from ourselves,
also, for, when writing, sometimes thoughts come that we didn’t even know we had …
when truly wanting to explore spiritual intelligence and share these truths. Love is
being expressed in ways that divine Mind deems worthy. Having others here, who
share spiritual knowledge is one of the greatest blessings, and gratitude to you all and
for these expressions of selflessness helps in so many varying topics in understanding
and purpose.
I’m all ears! : )
I feel differently here. I think the coach should’ve told the student to stop talking and listen. Not let the kid go on and on. That shows lack of confidence as a coach and leader. A coaches job is to command the situation, talk/teach the lesson, show the students how to be better to be successful. It’s up to the student learning to be humble, listen and execute what was taught.
You make a valid point. The “student” was a grown adult, which may have affected the dynamics a bit…
Perfect message for me! Thank you!
“Speak Lord: for thy servant heareth” (KJV). i heard a practitioner say that we are too often saying “Listen Lord, for thy servant speaketh”. We need to be the ones doing the listening and let God do the speaking! Thank you for the reminder Evan. L. X
Love what the practitioner said – it’s amusing, too! Thanks for that. Easy to remember.
Love this! …Burst out laughing at “ Listen Lord, for thy servant speaketh.”
Point well taken:)
Thank you, Evan.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your loving thoughts.
We all are humbly students regardless of our “age” – aren’t we … from precious
toddlers to seniors, we are always learning. Jesus as a boy, sat amongst the scholars
and when able by law at the time, preached in parables to those willing to listen.
Mrs. Eddy, even with her growing knowledge of the science of Christianity, had
revisions to her writings, until she was satisfied with the sharings she reverenced
to her students (and we all), of the word of God’s Truth. I love how we are all
humble servants, when we are willing to listen and learn. Thank you, Evan, for giving
us the venue here to keep learning. It truly is a loving gift.
And Mrs. Eddy wrote once, that she often prayed deeply to find the right and most suitable word for her spiritual Text.
Thank you dear Carol! Our learning from our Father-Mother God has no end. We are neither young nor old . That was the title of a lecture decades ago. I’m glad and thankful, we learn the Truth in Christian Science.
Thank you all for your interesting and inspiring comments.
And dear Fay, thanks a lot for that wonderful article “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s a very helpful article for me with loving metaphysics.
And thank you dear Evan for that reminder, to let God speak to us, and we are His attentive and listening servents, God’s loved children. That is very prayerful, to listen to God what good and healing He has to say to us. I love to say and do with Psalms 150: Allelujha! praise the Lord in His holy temple; praise Him in His unmeasurable Omnipotence.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they taught ‘listening to one another’ in schools.
yes…My daughter is a teacher of grade two in the public school system in BC Canada and teaches “listening to one another” as well as respect, honesty, helping each other…and it is very successful. I have visited the classroom…what a delight…skills the children can take forward and up.
Excellent article. In a sales training seminar I attended over 30 years ago, the speaker said, “We are born with two ears and one mouth, and we should use them accordingly.” As Mrs. Eddy says, “I will listen for thy voice, lest my foorsteps stray.”
Evan I keep missing my daily SV . I had a subscription for years. So I resubscripted today.
Patty Mylar
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