“But he [God] surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer.” Psalm 66.19
Communication between men and women is full of challenges. Does one understand the words the other person is using? Do both parties believe the other person is listening? Is the other person responding correctly? Is the other person listening actively or passively? Some people suggest that men and women communicate so differently that they are actually speaking different languages.
There are moments however when communication works. The sense of awe and wonder is amazing! I find that listening is more than building a bridge to make a difference. When a man and women share true dialogue, there is an emotional union from being so much in harmony that you could consider both people one and the same for that moment in time.
David discovered that a two-way conversation with God where everything worked in harmony. David expressed his hopes, desires, anger, and frustration, laying it all out before God as a gift. God in returned spoke with and to David. From David’s prayers, it sounds like God spoke through actions more than through mystical voices. I am confident David could see, just as we can see, how God continues to work in people’s lives. There is evidence of God’s action all around us! David did not appear surprised, except perhaps by the speed that God can move.
How can we share a conversation with God? Is it enough to talk and rest of promises that he will hear and answer? Am I supposed to be content with hearing my own voice?
The answer is to just “be”. Sharing a conversation with anyone requires that I be with that person. Sharing a conversation begins with learning to listen. Learning is the beginning of learning how people can listen to you in your time. Understanding the ways one can respond in listening opens our minds to how God works. Each time you find yourself talking to yourself stop. Go back to the first step and listen.
By being, we become.
