The Power of Listening to Others

The Power of Listening to Others I like serving opportunities where the need is well-defined, and how I can meet said need is clear. Like helping a church family move (they need bodies, and I can lift boxes), or serving at a local ministry that outlines projects that need to be done (checklist = DONE). But it doesn’t feel like those neatly wrapped service opportunities come around quite often enough. Especially not when I consider that my entire life should be shaped by serving others “humbly in love.” I think a true life of service looks a little less clean cut than, “Here’s a need, and I know exactly how to meet it!” But there’s a secret to serving, and it’s simple: listening. Listening is how we can get a sense for where, how, and who to serve. Shooting a quick text to a friend in the midst of moving and selling a house might help you hear just how stressed they are—and hey! Maybe a delivered meal could take a tiny load of stress off their back. Or, listening to your coworker’s story about her kiddo digging into her stash of peanut butter M&M's gives you the perfect personalized pick-me-up idea for the next time she’s in need of a boost of encouragement (buy her more M&M's!).