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     This is from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

…..We all have moments when we listen with an open heart and mind. If we didn’t we wouldn’t be able to grow in our relationship with God. Having an open heart and mind is the only way we can grow closer to God.

…..The beginning of having an open heart and mind is when you accept that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died and rose again from the dead, and believing in what he taught, believing that he conquered death, and because he did that, all those who believe in him can also conquer death and experience life eternal after this life.

…..You can only believe that if you have an open heart and mind. You can’t come to that belief through logic or analysis. It is only by having an open heart and mind that the Holy Spirit can bring you to that belief.

…..You have to have an open heart and mind to care, to love, to have compassion. Most times judgment comes in first and that closes the heart and mind. Or maybe its logic and reasoning that close the heart and mind. Maybe it’s resentment or fear or anger or an unforgiving heart or holding a grudge.

…..Listening with an open heart and mind is not as easy as one might think. And remember, when you DO listen with an open heart and mind, it is the Holy Spirit that speaks to your heart and mind and allows you to care, love, feel compassion. God is still speaking. We may be reading stories that took place many years ago, but the elements that made that story happen are STILL operating today. God is STILL speaking through acts of kindness that spring from caring and loving and compassion.

…..This week work at listening with an open heart and mind; recognize the difference between listening with an unforgiving heart and listening with an open heart, and the difference between listening with a judging mind and listening with an open mind. And let random acts of kindness flow from the seeds that Jesus planted within you and me through his teachings: seeds of compassion, caring and loving.

Amen.

http://www.emmitsburg.net/tlc/pastor_brie/2006/listen.htm