How much attention do we really pay? When we ask how someone is doing, do we listen for the answer? Do we really even care? The reality of how much we live on the surface of each others lives and how we are sometimes so incredibly clueless to the pain and suffering around us was brought home very strongly to me today. As I was coming into school, with my mind going 1000 miles per hour and carrying two arms full of luggage and books, I met one of my fellow students. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I asked how her day was going and she made some comment about how churches can sometimes be the most unchristian like places, and I quipped back that it was good for her to find that out at a young age so that she can be better equipped for dealing with the trials of church life to come.
What I didn’t know, or realize at that moment was how hurt she really was and how a church had just attempted to sabotage an entire year of her life. The only way that I found this out, was by pausing and taking the time to get past the pleasantries and to truly want to know how she was. John Wesley had a question that he asked on a regular basis and that question was “How goes it with your soul?” To me, this question truly gets to the heart of our responsibility to each other. How goes it with your soul? How are you really doing? What pains and burdens are you carrying today? How can I pray for you today? These are the types of questions that we should be asking each other. Not, How are you? (hoping that they really don’t try to tell you)
So today my friends, I ask you a simple question, How goes it with your soul, and yes I really want to know.
Blessings
What I didn’t know, or realize at that moment was how hurt she really was and how a church had just attempted to sabotage an entire year of her life. The only way that I found this out, was by pausing and taking the time to get past the pleasantries and to truly want to know how she was. John Wesley had a question that he asked on a regular basis and that question was “How goes it with your soul?” To me, this question truly gets to the heart of our responsibility to each other. How goes it with your soul? How are you really doing? What pains and burdens are you carrying today? How can I pray for you today? These are the types of questions that we should be asking each other. Not, How are you? (hoping that they really don’t try to tell you)
So today my friends, I ask you a simple question, How goes it with your soul, and yes I really want to know.
Blessings
1 comment:
We often really are clueless about the pain and suffering in the lives of those around us. We get so wrapped up in our "own little world." Thank you for the reminder to pause, ask questions and then REALLY listen for the answers.
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