Listen and Learn

Listen and Learn

Last week Sarah wrote about the powerful concept of humility, which is having a correct view of yourself in view of who God says you are. Humility calls us to take the focus off ourselves (pride) and instead seek God’s wisdom and strength.

Curious about what immediately followed the passage about humility, I read the above verse. After calling believers to humble themselves and give all their worries to God, Peter writes, “Stay alert!” Another way of saying it is: “Don’t fall asleep! Now that you know, be ready!”

Be alert, be watchful, be engaged. Church family, we are waking up. We are listening. We are learning. We are seeing racial injustices in a new way. We have been confronted with our pride and inactivity. This is no time to sit back and watch.

What should we do? That is the question we are all asking right now, and that answer begins with humility and prayer. It begins with admitting we don’t know, and then listening and learning from those who do, beginning with the God of all wisdom. We also have brothers and sisters who walk in wisdom and humility and they are speaking up. Read, listen, pray, and then engage in the whatever way God convicts you.

Dear Jesus, we come to You humbly, admitting our weakness, our sin, and our pride. We don’t know it all. We don’t know what to do. We desperately need Your wisdom and strength. Holy Spirit, convict each one of us. We want to listen and learn. Teach us and show us the way. Thank you for your grace. Amen.

Pastor Satise Roddy was recently a guest on one of my favorite podcasts, “Susie Larson Live.” She is the founding pastor of Oasis Church and is passionate about preaching the Word of God. When asked what we can DO, here is a portion of what she said:

“Try to understand. Do not base your opinion on what you think, but listen to what I am saying. If you’re saying you’re going to be with me, be with me. If you’re going to talk the talk, walk the walk. I don’t need your pity; I need your prayer. I want to share this with you so we can do this together. The racism I have to endure is real. I want you to hear what it is I’m saying and then let us collaboratively help each other. I want to journey with you, and I pray in Jesus’ name that you will do the same for me.”