Listening to Understand
Posted on Jun 28, 2017 by
Dear Salem Family,
I read an article the other day and this quote hit me and stuck with me for days, “The problem isn’t when Christians disagree, it’s when they lose the ability to disagree without dialogue. It’s when they lose the ability to welcome diversity of thought. The Church has become a members-only club, defined by the narrowest of doctrines and a singular understanding of God and Scripture. –Anonymous.”
In my experience the best decisions, ideas, conversations happen when there are differing points of view. Talking out each point, seeing the other person’s point of view, and having a dialogue. Whether it’s my professional life, personal life, or otherwise, I believe the best things have come out of a conversation when everyone at the table isn’t in total agreement. I can remember conversations about getting my Master’s degree, conversations about change in jobs, and dialogue just between friends. I have learned so much about hearing another point of view. It doesn’t necessarily mean I have to agree with the other person, but it has been amazing to see the things that have come out of those dialogues.
Another quote I’m continually challenged by is, “The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.” Many times I have found myself formulating my response, rather than really listening to what the other person has to say. As we embark on the High School Mission Trip, my prayer for everyone attending -- adults and high schoolers -- is that we continue to listen to understand, especially when we all don’t have the same viewpoints.
I think personally, I’m at my best when I’m challenged and am working on self. And listening to understand instead of listening to reply, especially when it means my idea or thought is being challenged, is hard for me. I believe I’m on this earth to be challenged to live better and do better when it comes to God’s will for my life. I’d hate for my view to become so narrow that I stop listening to God and others as I’m trying to figure out this thing called life. Grace and mercy are gifts from God, and when we live in the gray and challenge ourselves we need a lot of grace and mercy.
In Christ,
Meghan Harmison
Director of Adult Ministries and Outreach