Wisdom: What the World Needs from Christians. {pt 1}

I am completely shocked and discouraged by the pure evil happening in our world today. I know that the world has always had pure evil moments, but maybe this is the first time in my adult life that I feel SO deeply troubled and affected by it. Evil seems to be squeezing in on all sides- internationally and within our own borders. Hate seems to be running rampant and fear is tagging along behind it leaving destruction in its wake. I keep wondering what I can do about it. It's difficult not to lose hope. 

In our home, we've determined to just be still. Get the facts. Be prayerful. Have long conversations around the table. We've received criticism for that approach. If we don't "take a stand" via social media, by sharing news articles and strongly-worded blogposts then we are apathetic and just as bad as the evil in the world. But can I just be honest? I cannot, I will not join in with the screaming match that I see happening everyday on the Internet. It's loud, it's divisive and I don't like to yell. Also, it feels like we are missing something in our approach to making a difference. There's more to the process of joining God in pursuing justice--what is it? 

Wisdom. Now I don't mean to oversimplify tangled, complicated, deeply challenging issues. I also don't claim to have any of the answers to solve the problem of evil. What I do have is a heart that desperately wants to know how in the world believers in Jesus are supposed to be acting in a world that's ripping itself apart. In my quest to avoid joining in the screaming match by NOT writing a blogpost....well, here I am. Writing a blogpost. Not just because I need to vent or because there's a shortage of things you could read about, but because I am compelled to speak. There is something pressing deeply on my heart that I just can't keep quiet about. It's shaping me and giving me insight into God's heart for His people. So here begins the part 1 of 3 in a series about navigating brokenness with wisdom. 

Part 1. The World Needs Compassionate Listeners. 

I've said this before and I'll say it again: good listeners are going extinct. You feel it too, right? That pressure you feel to get it all out of your mouth fast so you don't lose your train of thought. That feeling you get when you start opening up to share something but the conversation takes a sharp turn and the focus changes to them. You know what happens when people stop listening to each other? It just becomes a lot of noise. A lot of words without a lot of understanding. A lot of surface conversations. A lot of people walking around feeling unseen and unknown. I believe that this lost art contributes to much of the problem of loneliness in our culture. I believe it's a big reason for the me-against-the-world mentality. Everyone is fighting to be seen, appreciated and known. When these basic relational needs aren't met, we see drastic measures taken. 

Proverbs seems to have a lot to say about listening too. In fact, one day I noticed a theme: 

wise people are good listeners. 

Listening leads to understanding which leads to wisdom. Too many words is the mark of the fool.

"The tongue of the wise commends knowlege, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. (15:2)

"The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowlege, but the mouths of fools feed on folly." (15:14)

"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pour out evil things." (15:27)

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion". (18:2)

"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." (18:13)

"An intelligent heart acquires knowlege, and the ear of the wise seeks knowlege." (18:15)

I experienced this firsthand the other day. While I was in our backyard, our next door neighbor peeked over the fence. As we started talking I realized I knew nothing about her. I asked her some easy questions- what did she do? How long had she lived here? I listened as she shared stories and watched her start to open up to me. I pressed deeper and took a risk- 

Do you go to church?

I saw her swallow a big gulp of air as if preparing for a word battle. She shared with me that she used to be connected to a church, but did not feel supported in her lifestyle since she "came out". There was an opportunity in front of me. She searched my eyes to try to anticipate how I'd respond. To be honest with you I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to say. So I felt the Lord prompt me to listen more. I asked more questions, felt her uneasiness fade and soon a bridge was built between the two of us. I knew that many well-meaning Christians had wounded her out of their desire to express their opinion. I'm sure they did not realize that they forgot something: that this woman is a human being endowed with the same God-given desire to be seen and valued. They had forgotten she had a soul that needed nourishing. A story that needed hearing. And it led her to isolation. 

So, friends, how does this apply to topics of social justice and evil and controversy and politics? As people whose souls have been seen, pursued, redeemed and deeply loved, we must put aside our need to express our opinion before we hear. We must sacrifice our need to be right. We must put aside our disdain for broken behavior coming from a broken world. We must sit down, leave what's comfortable and seek the unseen, the marginalized and the hurt. We must put aside our agenda, our preference and listen so we can understand. Watch our words and tune in intentionally. We must be compassionate listeners- people of wisdom. Through us, may they feel the immeasurable care of their Heavenly Father. This is what the world needs from Christians.