How to be an active listner

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Philippians 4:6-8

Key Principle (1): If we loose our temper, we loose!

Key Principle (2): Being an active listener is more important than making a compelling point

Consider how Jesus interacted with people.  He makes everyone feel like they are important. He does not cut people off by interjecting truth.  He doesn’t lose his anger with individuals.  He’s definitely not arguing with people.

When we engage the unbelieving world we expect to meet people who are much different than us and hold different world views.  

When we face off against competing world views, layered priority systems, and ideological differences, it often challenges our identity and how we process the world.  Instead of shying away, we can lean in with great joy and anticipation.  We can nurture inner strength to be an active listener, even when we don’t agree. 

Sailboats have a massive “counter weight” system underneath the water called a keel.  It’s a vital yet unseen part of the sailboat that helps it harness the wind.  It’s essential and mostly unseen. 

Our keel is the word of God.  We anchor ourselves to the truths about God in scripture, his promises, his stance on issues, and his sovereignty.  Like a keel, it may not be visible to all but we hold tight no matter what ideas we encounter. 

On the rare occasion when the boat is removed from the water, the keel is easy to see.  Most of the time the keel is essential in stabilizing the boat and rarely seen.  Imagine facing a storm in a sailboat with no keel!