Have you ever thought about God listening in on your conversations? Would it change what you say and how you say it?
This past week, I spoke to one of our staff about a conversation they had with a client. It seemed this conversation kept on going "around in circles." You know the ones... when each person keeps repeating the same thing and someone does not appear to be listening (or listening well). As we spoke, it appeared that they both had valid comments but opposite opinions. In addition, it became more evident to me that the client was fearful. And their fear may have been keeping him from being able to understand what the staff member was saying. In these circumstances, someone needs to stop speaking and concentrate on listening.
As I talked to the staff member, who had been trying hard to help the client understand he was better, she recognized that fear was probably a significant component and should have addressed it. At his next appointment, she will address this with him.
This exchange caused me to reflect on these kinds of conversations which do not go well. I wonder - in those circumstances, what would happen if we stopped and recognized that God is listening in on the conversation? Would He be pleased with what we were saying, and how we were saying it? Would we hear Him say, "Don't just listen to the words, listen to the heart. You are missing something."
This coming week, try to think of your conversations as being Kingdom Conversations. What do we mean by that? As we are part of His Kingdom, we want to act, react, and interact the way God would like us to, including our business discussions and everyday chats. Envision that God is right next to you, listening to what you are saying:
Are you demonstrating the fruit of the spirit?
Are you patient, or boastful and proud?
Are you showing respect for the person and listening to their perspective?
Are you kind, even though you may be delivering bad news?
Are your words and your heart going to please God?
“May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
Consistently trying to remember God is listening to our discussions helps keep us accountable to Him. However, there is also a second aspect to God being part of every conversation: we are also blessed to know that we also have a Counsellor in every conversation. God is listening but also wants to help us.
The Holy Spirit is our lifeline in difficult conversations, and we can ask for wisdom, guidance, and counsel as we prepare for our discussions or are in the middle of them.
The Holy Spirit gives us power, the words to say, and boldness to speak them.
The Holy Spirit reveals things to us, warns us, and helps us in our weaknesses.
We need to ask for Holy Spirit's counsel and wisdom. Do you remember to ask?
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
At the beginning of each day, ask God to remind you how He is part of every conversation and ask Holy Spirit for wisdom as you enter every new discussions.