Who’s First
When we gather with others, how do we decide whose voice is heard first? It usually doesn’t matter whether we have good news or bad, we want to be the first to share when we meet with someone. One of our guiding principles, though, is that the person who loses her/his life for the sake of the Kingdom, finds his/her life.
Knowing that the person or people with whom we talk want and need the same thing, what is the way to balance listening and being heard? I don’t have the answer to that, but I have found the answer to how to get the answer. Let every interaction with every person be influenced by the fruit of the Spirit of God. Allowing Him to comfort my heart regarding my bad news before I share it with another human will put me in a stronger emotional / spiritual condition, making me able to discern their needs and balance them with mine, and decide how to proceed. Allowing Him to fill my heart and mind with His love for the person next to me will open my ability to listen to Him about what to say.
The answer is already known to Him before I show up. I need to ask the Spirit. Then I need to listen for His direction. Then I need to obey.