How well do we really communicate. Photo--petertheplanner.com
Welcome to day 15. You have made it halfway. Congratulations!
By now, you are either loving this challenge or just going through the motions. Some, sadly, have quit by this point. They don’t come out and say the word, “I quit,” but there other communications tell you that they have.
This just doesn’t do much for me.
I read the book in a day. Got the concept. I don’t see dragging this out.
Sure, I’m living my life just how I want to. Aren’t we all?
Some who have given up may just avoid conversation and communication with those are sticking with it. Communication is a strange dynamic and sometimes we just avoid it, or at least limit it to some extent so we never have to deal with something called the truth.
Today’s exploration is about revealing your heart. What would you like to say, like to do, like to know about yourself and others. What do we really hold most dear in our lives? Can we share that with the people who are most important to us?
Let’s look at today first make it count moment.
Right now do you have a relationship in which communication is breaking down? Is there a lack of understanding, a miscommunication, or a discrepancy between words and actions?
What have you done?
In our cell phone and text message age we only receive part of the intended message. Yes, that accounts for emoticons, special text symbols for laughter and crying, and other efforts to address this void. We need to make time to talk with and listen to others in person. That is how we are designed to communicate—really communicate not just exchange words—even in this hectic world.
Even when we make the time, we must make the effort. That means getting out of our business mode, setting aside in our minds those five things that must be done now, and really talking and really listening. When James said be quick to listen he was saying listen first and completely. Consider talking and listening as tools on a belt. When we need to communicate, we need to reach for our listening tool first. Even if we have something important to say, we need to say it to a person who first feels understood.
Here’s our next make it count moment.
Do you consider yourself a good listener? Why or why not?
What prevents you from listening more closely to those you care about?
How clearly do they listen to you?
These make it count moments today are a little different. Where’s the question that asks, what are you going to do about it?
You just asked it. Half way through this journey of discovery, we have begun to ask ourselves just that. Is this something important enough that I would take action in my few remaining days on earth? If the answer is yes, what are those actions? When will I take them—with today rapidly becoming the first choice.
So how are you going to reconnect with someone important to you? Perhaps, just telling them that they are important to you and you want to really talk and listen with them is something that we all can do today. There are tools for the rest if you think you need them, but the expressed desire to communicate is more important than any technique, tool, facilitator, or other supplement.
Here are the make it last for life challenges for today.
1. Check your phone—probably your cell phone—and see who you call the most. How often do you really communicate with them?
2. Send an email or write a letter (kids, find an older person to explain what these are) to someone who lives far away but is important to you. Recall a time when you were together and tell them what it meant to you.
3. Conduct a 24 hour media fast. Journal any impact that it had on you. Yes, please come back to this online study after your fast.
Looking for the abundant life that Jesus promised? Take the 30 Day Challenge with other churches in western Oklahoma.
About being a servant in a society that says, that dog don't hunt.
What do you call a guy with degrees in Political Science and Biblical Studies? What do you call someone that served as a Marine Officer for over 20 years and now pastors a church? What do you call someone with this unique perspective of the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God?
Most folks just call me Tom.
Poems, prayers, promises, and Camel Spiders.
Take a look on the political side, try A Good Read.
Check out a leadership mix of Pastor, Parent, Marine, and American in Forward Deployed.
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