Bless: Listening with Care
Speaker: Pastor Aaron Perry
We continued our bless series by looking at how we listen with love. Everybody wants somebody to notice them and care about them.
Dallas Willard once said, “The first act of love is always the giving of attention.” Attention builds connection. And connection begins when we slow down enough to truly listen.
James 1:19 reminds us:
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Dave Ferguson put it this way: “When the people in our lives feel unheard and unknown, it ultimately leaves them feeling unloved.”
Jesus showed us this in His ministry. When a blind man cried out to Him in Luke 18, Jesus didn’t ignore him. He stopped. He noticed. He listened. And then He loved—restoring the man’s sight. Over and over again—whether with the woman at the well in John 4 or the woman who touched His robe in Luke 8—Jesus paid attention to people others overlooked.
Here’s a simple way we can love others well: ask questions that show you care.
History: “Tell me your story. Where did you grow up?”
Heart: “What’s your favorite team, restaurant, or vacation spot?”
Habits: “What do you enjoy doing in your free time?”
Hurts: “How are you really doing with what you’re going through?”
Do you listen to understand—or just to respond? It’s hard to love people you never listen to, and it’s hard to love from a distance.
Whenever someone opens up to you, it’s an opportunity from God to love them. Most people don’t need correction when they share; they need care.
Loved people. Listen to people.