Have you even been caught in a one-sided conversation? The kind where you can’t get a word in edgewise and you’re just left nodding and adding the occasional “yeah” when the other person comes up for air? I think we’ve all been there! While the introvert in me doesn’t mind when someone else leads the conversation, I still like to contribute to the topic at hand.
A meaningful conversation between two people is one that allow both sides to contribute. Both parties take turns speaking and listening; there’s a balance. A balance is necessary in order for both individuals to feel and be heard.
Take a look at the conversations you have on a daily basis. Is there a pretty consistent balance between all parties involved? Do you ever take control of the conversation without even realizing it? I’m guilty of this from time to time! When I get home from work, I have so much on my mind I want to share with my husband, I think I may overwhelm him with random information. He’s so sweet and takes it all in but I don’t want to dominate our conversations. I want my husband, my friend, whomever I’ve speaking to — to know that I do care what they have to contribute and I want to provide them the opportunity to do so.
What about your conversations with God? Is your prayer life one-sided? I catch myself talking at God from time to time. I’m asking Him for this, telling Him about that – but I’m not always listening. I’m not always still, waiting to hear this response or feel His spirit move. Surely I’m not alone in this!
I want to challenge you to make a concise, intentional effort to develop a balance of speaking and listening in all your conversations but especially your prayer life. Just think about what God might have to say if you’d just give Him the opportunity to speak! He is all-knowing and all-understanding; why are we the ones dominating the conversation?
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).