“A wise person will hear (listen) and increase in learning…” Proverbs 1:5a NASB (emphasis by me – listen is used in many translations).

I have a little sign hanging on my desk that reads, “Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters.”

I originally had it for our school room (we homeschooled our kids all the way through) and when they graduated almost ten years ago, I decided I needed to keep it on my desk for a reminder. For me. 

Because being silent is paramount to listening. 

At the very beginning of Proverbs, Solomon opens with this powerful and beautiful introduction (vv. 2-5):

“To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
To give prudence to the naïve,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise person will hear and increase in learning,
And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel…”

Funny isn’t it… that to increase in learning, we must hear.

Listen

It reminds me to be still. To hush all the other distractions, get rid of all the noise, and calm my heart and mind to be prepared to listen. 

In this fast-paced, super-techie world that we live in, sometimes it’s hard to even imagine the quiet of a completely empty meadow. With the only sounds being the cool breeze, the rustling of trees in the distance, the swish of tall grass at our feet. 

And yet, I imagine Solomon sat in such a place quite often. He asked God for wisdom and was granted it. I find myself asking God for wisdom on a daily basis.

Once again, I need the reminder of my sign. Listen and Silent.

I need to be still—be silent—and close my own mouth so that I can hear—listen to—what God has for me. It’s only then that I will increase in learning. Knowledge. Understanding.

Wisdom.

Life can be incredibly difficult and quite often we find ourselves searching frantically for that perfect answer. The quick fix. We cry out and then get frustrated when we don’t get an instantaneous response. It’s in times like these that I need the reminder. 

Be silent.

Listen

Today my friend, I may not know the specifics of what you are going through, but I can guess that the majority of you have at least one tough thing in your path. And you’re looking for direction… for answers. For wisdom. Then there are many of you who are walking beside someone on a difficult journey. You want to show them the unconditional love of Christ.

No matter where you are in your personal walk. No matter the challenge.

Take a moment or two today to be still. Be silent. And listen.

In HIS never ending JOY,
Kimberley