It's amazing what listening can do for you

Lately I have been trying to focus on listening rather than just hearing. I have realized that I often hear and don't listen.

It all boils down to our need to feel important. I want people to listen to me, to engage me, to show me that they value me. I want to be valued. So I want people to listen to me. The problem is, I become so focused on having something to say that is worth listening to that I stop listening to other people. I start hearing them.

I do care about other people. I think. If I do, I will listen to them. But listening hasn't ended just as a practice with my friends.

I am trying to listen to everything in my life. Nature, culture, scripture, community, etc.

I was in my car on the way to the airport on Wednesday. I was listening to an album I have listened to a thousand times. It was a regular on my iPod. This time I actually listened to the words.

The album is Soma Holiday by Greenwheel

The song that hit me on my way to the airport was Shelter.

You can listen to the song on their website but here are the lyrics.


Shelter
Soma Holiday (2002 Island Release)

Consumed by this greedy disposition
I give no thanks for all that’s been given to me
I’m so concerned with selfish ambition
I see what I want and look past what I need
Its time to forget myself
Tell me where to find shelter
somewhere here
Impatience takes its toll
It’s such a hefty fare for me to pay
Indifference takes control
I guess I’ll keep that outside at bay
I don’t care if I ever change


I have been living this song for the past 4 years. I realize my problems. I even see some solutions. But the solutions seem so far off. And impatience does take its toll. And it is a hefty fare to pay, not following God's will. And then, just as in the song, I become indifferent and push the solutions away and ignore the problems.

I have been burning for the homeless and oppressed since I graduated from high school. Actually living in Austin was my first experience with the homeless and oppressed. Since then I have seen the poverty, and seen the affluence around me, and in my life. I know what I need to do. I need to simplify, get rid of all of the possessions I worship and misuse. God trusted me as a steward of a misproportionate amount of his blessings, and I buried them in a field for myself on another day.

I know the solution is not just denying myself the pleasure of "things." I know that the true solution will involved me simplifying and learning to enjoy the things I keep. Another part will be learning to enjoy people more than I enjoy things. Finally being a good steward of the things I do have will allow me to enjoy them fully while using them to care for the needs of God's creation.

So I commit to see past what I want and not miss what I need.

It's time to forget myself.