ONE of the key skills of listening
is silence, allowing awkwardness its cherished place in relationships.
In the awkward silence is space where
God works in liberating truth from guarded lips, as a person courageously trusts
the caring moment.
ENTERING THE SILENCE
How few relational interactions
feature the space of silence? Too few. Too many exchanges occur when both
parties insist on having their say, neither listening to the intent, motive and
message of the other.
But entering the silence is simply
the art of one person agreeing to say nothing until the right time comes. This
person may have a simple question to ask — that’s all.
There is power in that one
question. Could be five words. Could simply be one.
As something is said in rigid
simplicity power emanates from that word.
The opportunity to lay one pregnant
sentence into the communication is only available when we listen sufficiently
through silence, communicating through body language and gestures where at all
possible.
TRUSTING THE SILENCE
If we ever wish to have a
transformational interaction, to cause someone to think, to encourage someone
to heal, to show empathy, we must trust the silence within which the ministry
is to occur.
We put off the desire to give them
our advice. We leave home the truths we believe will help. The words of
distraction remain in the car or in another room. Focus and attention comes in
the silence.
And in the silence, listen for the Spirit. He needs no words
of our assistance. The Spirit will communicate something in the awkward listening
silence. Remain there.
Listening has such value in
communication, and many times more listening that trusts the awkwardness in silence.
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