Aloha Friends,
Do you FaceTime? Every Monday, my sister and I would FaceTime my mom to catch up. Mom always makes time for us and we would talk for an hour about everything... family, weather, recipes, prices of groceries, politics, C-dramas and K-dramas. Mom doesn't dominate the talking. She would let us talk while she listens and chime in occasionally. However, one thing she insists is that we show our faces on the screen. She wants to see us! She would protest if we walk away from the device or if the lighting is not good enough for her to see our faces! Ever since Apple invented FaceTime, phone calls are no longer acceptable. FaceTime has become our family's standard for communication!
Ever consider "seeing" a person as a key component of active listening? Let's watch John Maxwell's video Become An Intentional Listener. As you watch, take note of anything that resonates with you, and enjoy the humor about Teddy Roosevelt 😉
Reflection:
1. According to John Maxwell, how do we understand and know what others want so that we can add value to them?
2. How do you tell the difference between an intentional listener and a passive listener?
3. Read Genesis 16:13 "She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there," God revealed Himself to the slave girl as El Roi, a Hebrew name meaning, the God who sees us.
4. Have you ever felt forgotten, unimportant, or misunderstood? Hagar the slave girl experienced all of the above. She was mistreated, afraid, lonely, and unloved, to the point where her only option was to run away to a desert well. You can read the backstory in Genesis 16. The Bible reminds us that:
a) God knows you by name. El Roi knows Hagar by name (Genesis 16:8). You are one in a billion, but God also knows you by name as an individual. He knows the number of hair on your head (Matthew 10:30). He knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He loves you so much that he was willing to sacrifice his Son for you in order to have a relationship with you (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
b) God sees your situation. El Roi is not blind to your plight. Your situation has not taken Him by surprise, although it may have taken you by surprise. Being omniscient, your very life is always before his eyes - good and bad. Trust that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who has been called for his purpose (Romans 8:28).
c) God sees your needs. El Roi came to Hagar. She sought her out at a time of her greatest need. At that moment, God reassured her that she was seen, she was loved and she was not forgotten, that she and her unborn child would be cared for. God also promises you that he will not forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). It is during your greatest time of need when he pours out his grace and mercy to cover you (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Take Away:
God does not overvalue talking and undervalue listening. In fact, he pays constant attention to each one of us. He hears us and sees us because we are important to him, and what we say is important to him.
Pray this Prayer with Me:
You are the One who sees me. I am perfectly loved and fully known by You, El Roi. In Your presence, I can be me. You see me in my situation and work through them according to your perfect will. You see my needs and seek after me to meet my every need. For all this, I thank you. Amen
Bible References:
Genesis 16:8
"And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”
Matthew 10:30
"But even the hairs of your head are all numbered."
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 5:8
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Hebrews 4:15-16
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
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