“Listen and Then Do”
The task of men who work for the kingdom of God, is to work for the kingdom of God.
The result beyond this demand is not in their hands.
Howard Thurman, For the Inward Journey
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As a teacher, I used a teaching strategy called “Listen and then do.” I would give detailed instructions to my students and then check for understanding by having one or two of them repeat what I just said. Then, I would repeat the instructions once again and say raise your hand if you are clear. One day I left off the line “are you clear” with my kindergarten classes. A five-year-old boy raised his hand and I called on him. I said yes Johnathan, do you have a question? To which he replied, “We’re clear.” I laughed out loud and said thank you, Johnathan!
I tell this story because Spirit speaks to us all the time in a manner and language we each understand. God knows us better than anyone else and knows how to get our attention so that we are clear about what is ours to do, say, where and when. I invite you to raise your hand if you have ever caught, heard or felt direction from Spirit and ignored it. Lord knows I have. My next question is, “how did that work out?”
The invitation is to ask for guidance, Listen, and then Do. Well, you might ask how do I know it is the Voice for God or Spirit or Presence? This Voice is quiet, loving and peaceful. The ego on the other hand, as A Course in Miracles teaches, speaks first, loudest is judgmental, and seeks to divide and separate.
The Bible teaches that “faith without works is dead.” We are the hands, feet, and word of God spoken on this earth. God loves through us, and extends Its love through us, as us. I am learning to listen and obey. It is not my job to determine the fruit of my labor or how another responds to something I say or do. That is God’s business and theirs. The
practice of non-attachment serves me well.
Affirmation
I listen to Spirit and then do, without attachment to the outcome. I am about my Creator’s business.
- Debora Varn
