Topic: See… Listen … Act [Thursday, 13th April 2017]


Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27:23 KJV

Ask anyone, ‘how are you?’ The most likely response you’ll get is, ‘I am fine’. But then, truth is, that isn’t always true. A true friend will ask you, ‘how are you?’ will not just only  wait to hear but will also listen to your response and then looks into your eyes to see that your response is actually true. It is very important that we pay attention to people’s countenance from time to time. It is wrong to always assume that they are fine simply because they said they are, especially when you are accountable for them as a parent, teacher, leader, spouse, sibling, pastor or just as a friend.

It won’t be out of place to say that the prophet who died in 2 Kings 4 falls into the category of people we assume are doing great, where as they have lots to deal with that is locked in their hearts. But then, the Bible says, one day the wife of a man from  the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, “your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves” (2 Kings 4:1 MSG). Now, we should ask, ‘was there nobody heading that group?’ ‘Did he never talk to anyone about his problems?’ Perhaps they heard but didn’t listen; looked but didn’t see!

It is rather surprising to find a contrast of that possible scenario with an unbeliever king in Nehemiah 2. “Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart…”

(Nehemiah 2:2) As Christ-refined, we need to pay attention to people’s countenance, listen to the silent details in their comments, see beyond the feigned smile on their faces and show them you care. You will be surprised how much healing you can do just by doing that. And need I say that you don’t have to be a psychologist? No, you don’t. And you just might be pulling someone out of the claws of depression and even suicide if you can just see, listen and act.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Start taking note of even the least of changes in people around you: It could just be the tone of their voice over the phone, but pay attention. See, listen intently between the lines and take appropriate and wise action.


By Samuel A’-men Abidoye


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