Why is listening so hard? 

I know that this “jar of clay” that I walk around in isn’t that good at listening.  I think that most people have a terrible fear of silence.  Too many distractions in life to really listen.  I have my own things to think about.  I’m too busy to think about your things, so why should I listen?  I don’t want to hear thoughts, ideas, words that might cause me to have to change my plans.

This is true not just of our interaction with other people, it is true of our relationship with God.  Why truly listen if I don’t want to change?  Why force aside the busyness and distractions if I like the way my life is going with me in charge? 

As a Christian, Jesus calls me to carry His Spirit, His essence, His character around in this jar of clay that is my body.  To do that well, I had better learn to listen.  May God grant me the ability to really listen and to live genuinely.