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- Oct 26, 2007
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
What does it mean to "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"? You might think it means to talk a lot. Then again, the book, Loving Your Neighbor: Surprise! It's Not What You Think includes this story:
While on business in Orlando I met a man named Leonard who poured out his heart to me. I didn't say a word. I just kept listening intently. When he was done, I kept looking into Leonard's angry, deeply hurt eyes and didn't say anything.
After a minute, with deepest sadness he said, "All I needed was hope and mercy." What a profoundly haunting lament. Yet if I had started talking, I never would have heard what he needed.
After Leonard told me, "All I needed was hope and mercy," I remained quiet for another minute. I let my eyes do all the talking. His eyes and facial expressions began to soften and change. Only God's love can do that. Then Leonard told me, "And by listening to my story, you've given me both." After an hour, Leonard didn't know the other guy's (my) name, but he knew he wanted to come back to the Lord. And he did!
Maybe you're the silent type. Maybe that's a good thing.
Prayer: Lord, use my ears. Do all the talking.
What does it mean to "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"? You might think it means to talk a lot. Then again, the book, Loving Your Neighbor: Surprise! It's Not What You Think includes this story:
While on business in Orlando I met a man named Leonard who poured out his heart to me. I didn't say a word. I just kept listening intently. When he was done, I kept looking into Leonard's angry, deeply hurt eyes and didn't say anything.
After a minute, with deepest sadness he said, "All I needed was hope and mercy." What a profoundly haunting lament. Yet if I had started talking, I never would have heard what he needed.
After Leonard told me, "All I needed was hope and mercy," I remained quiet for another minute. I let my eyes do all the talking. His eyes and facial expressions began to soften and change. Only God's love can do that. Then Leonard told me, "And by listening to my story, you've given me both." After an hour, Leonard didn't know the other guy's (my) name, but he knew he wanted to come back to the Lord. And he did!
Maybe you're the silent type. Maybe that's a good thing.
Prayer: Lord, use my ears. Do all the talking.
