Are you a fixer? I sure am, or at least often try to be. When someone has a problem, I listen, and all the while my wheels are turning. How can I help them solve this? What can I do?
I really dislike how I feel, knowing someone needs help and I am stuck in a state of inactivity.
But people don’t always need me fixing. In fact, some just really appreciate the listening. Wow!
What did Jesus do? Well, for starters, He actually had the power to fix everything. He was the miracle-worker and naturally could make things right, and quickly.
But He didn’t jump right in there and start with obliterating the issue.
He often first sat and listened. And I bet He truly listened and didn’t think ahead to what He could do. He probably gave His full attention to the words, the nonverbals, and the emotions each person carried.
In John 4:7-26 Jesus met a woman at the well. He sat with her and offered her what she needed. Not just for her immediate needs but what her soul needed.
She needed to be known.
And she needed soul knowledge that she could be right with God, the being she had ignored most of her days.
The knowledge that it wasn’t too late.
That God still cares and is still calling her.
But Jesus first listened to her.
To her life song.
To her heart cry.
And then, Jesus offered her exactly what she needed.
Hope.
Love.
Peace.
You and I do not have to be fixers. We can be listeners. And then when appropriate, we can share Jesus’ hope, love and peace.
We don’t have to have the answers. We only need to shine the light on the one who does.
Do you too, feel, that wow, I was taking on too much! I just need to listen, and then shine the light on Jesus. Let’s ask him to help us remember that short to-do list!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I’m not a great listener. Please help me change that. Help me to truly listen to the words, the heart and the actions. Then remind me to shine the light on Jesus. Allow his hope, love and peace to flood the scenario and comfort as only he can. In Jesus’ name, amen.