As I mentioned in last Sunday’s message, to truly listen to another person is an incredible act of love. It shows great respect and care for another’s feelings. It makes one feel valued. As I was reading The Oklahoman this morning, there was an article with the same theme by Charolette Lankard who shared some lines from a poem entitled “What You Didn’t Lose” by John Fox:

When someone deeply listens to you, it is like holding out a dented cup
you’ve had since childhood and watching it fill up with cold, fresh water.
When it balances on top of the brim, you are understood.
When it overflows and touches your skin you are loved.

His line about a dented cup stirred images of an old Boy Scout tin cup I had in a mess kit that had belonged to my Dad. My thoughts then went to Jesus with the woman at the well in John 4. He asked her for a drink of water and she stopped what she was doing and engaged him in conversation, before meeting his request. We don’t think of Jesus ever needing anything, but he did. He had needs just like us. He had physical needs and He too needed people to listen to him, not for what He could do for them, but simply as an act of love. In this case, He also had something He wanted to give this woman. He offered her living water in return for physical water. Jesus was refreshed physically and relationally, her life was transformed for eternity, after having encountered Jesus. How about yours? Have you encountered the Living Christ in your life? She ran back to the city to tell others about Jesus and even left her water jar – the initial reason she thought she had gone to the well. Sometimes the simple caring acts of life, pay the greatest dividends. The older I get, the less I care about temporary gifts that will eventually get scratched, dented, become obsolete and break. It’s the gifts of the heart that keep on going and bring real blessing and joy.

Charlotte concluded her article with these thoughts, “As we shop for Christmas gifts for those special people in our lives, perhaps we might add the gift of listening. No shopping is required and no price tag is attached. And, according to poet John Fox, the recipient will feel understood and loved. What better gift to give or to receive?” Pastor Kirk shared at Overflow on Tuesday evening the opportunity God had given him to take some time to listen and pray with some folks on Tuesday; one he knew and another he had just met. He offered the gift of listening and in return received a gift, as well. I had a member of First Church offer me a similar gift this week too.

Life is about relationships. Advent and Christmas are about the greatest relationship of all. The God who loved us enough to become one of us. Jesus,our Emmanuel, and the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, our Wonderful Counselor.

Looking forward to being with you again this Advent Sunday!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. Remember this Sunday is our All-Church Luncheon with our Charge Conference immediately following. It’s our annual church meeting to hear from our leadership. I’ll be sharing my State of the Church Address, as well. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Frankye Johnson, will be with us for worship too!