In today’s society, slow people are not admired. It’s the fast movers who get noticed and promoted. Unfortunately, fast movers also tend to be fast talkers—swift to speak and slow to listen. James reversed those characteristics when he told us to be “swift to hear” and “slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19).

Why is it that we find it so hard to listen but are so quick to speak? One reason is that we think we help others best when we offer answers, opinions, and guidance, all of which involve speaking. We may feel that if we’re only listening we’re not doing anything for the other person.

Years ago I came across this poetic description of a slow, almost awkward talker who excelled in the art of listening: “His thoughts were slow, his words were few, and never formed to glisten; he was a joy to all his friends—you should have heard him listen!”

Yes, listening is a form of communication that can be heard by the one whose heart needs to be comforted. We’re not always able to offer people solutions to their problems, but just listening to them can give them hope. Most of all, it is a way of loving others.

Love someone today by listening.