Long conversations, hard conversations, and drop everything and just listen conversations are places we can really get to know someone. If you’re a mom, you understand this all too well, in raising children. Some of my best “mom moments” haven’t always been the celebratory ones. It’s been in “the messy, let me try to understand where you’re coming from” moments. It’s entering their world so I can faithfully guide or encourage their young hearts as I grow in knowing them better.
And I’m learning the same with my adult relationships. That when another believer is willing to share hard truths, or entrust me with a deep hurt they’re trying to work through it’s a tremendous opportunity to grow in patience, compassion and greater understanding. It’s removing all the fluff and getting down to the nitty gritty of our souls. It’s permission to see each other as we truly are: broken and messy, and desperately in need of Jesus. Romans 3:23
This is the space where the truths of the gospel are either illuminated or ignored. All those one another’s we read in the bible, sound beautiful, don’t they? Inwardly, we give a hearty “amen!” We are called to bear one another’s burdens, love one another, forgive one another, and pray for one another to name a few. Those are easy when things are smooth but the real test comes when the waters are rough and choppy.
So those hard, messy conversations, do I see them as an opportunity to love and grow? Am I willing to lean in or will I pull away? Pulling away is you and I asserting ourselves to be “captain” over the waters. The truth is God is our Captain. We steer and navigate the waters, smooth or turbulent, as He commands. We allow scripture to be our compass, such as the needle points our hearts to in James 3:17-18,
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others…those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Choosing to lean in, listen and work through hard conversations is moving in the wisdom from above. It’s putting on humility and courage. Humility to say, “I’m not perfect. Where might I be missing it?” Humility to ask yourself, “How might God be using this person as a means for my sanctification?”
And courage to follow the Lord’s lead, His way over yours, and to believe He is able to bring something beautiful out of something messy and difficult. Isaiah 61:3.
Where has God called you to lean in, beloved?
No Comments