What do you hear right now?   Maybe it’s the sound of a computer fan or the singing of a bird outside.  The sounds are there but you may not be conscious of them until you are made aware of them.  Listening occurs when the event is perceived consciously rather than being part of the auditory surroundings.  When you pay attention then you start listening rather than simply hearing.

We live in a frenetic society and are in danger of losing the art of listening in our world of digital distraction and information overload.  This can have tragic consequences as Dr.Jerome Groopman  points out in his myth-shattering book, How Doctors Think.  Doctors readily agree that the best source of information of a patient’s maladies is the patient.  His research discovered however, that on the average, a physician will interrupt patients who are describing their symptoms within eighteen seconds.  Do you come to quick answers in your response to problems?  Here’s a question for you,

If a baseball and a bat cost $1.10 together, and the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?

Was your answer that the ball cost 10 cents?  If so, you’d be wrong.  Here’s the solution:

Although $1.00 + $0.10 does equal $1.10,  if you take $1.00 – $0.10 you get $0.90, but the problem requires that the bat costs $1 more than the ball.

So, the ball must cost $0.05, and the bat must cost $1.05 since $1.05 + $0.05 = $1.10

Still not convinced?  You can use algebra to solve the problem:

First, let’s set up the equation:

x + ($1.00 + x) = $1.10

$1.00 + 2x = $1.10

2x = $1.10 – $1.00

2x = $0.10

Finally, solve for x:

x = $0.05

Check your work:

x + ($1.00 + x) = $1.10, so

$0.05 + ($1.00 + $0.05) = $1.10

Daniel Kahneman in Thinking, Fast and Slow, reveals that we have two basic ways of processing information: spontaneous System 1 thinking, that we use when we’re exposed to stimuli, and slower, more reflective System 2 thinking, which we if we take time to reflect on those impressions.  Because it’s intuitive and automatic, System 1 can save us time when we are in a hurry; however, we must realize the limitations of our immediate response and ensure we’re truly listening.

Here’s another problem to give you an opportunity to redeem yourself if you missed the previous problem,

How many three cent stamps are in a dozen?

When you think of the numbers in this problem, you may be tempted to divide twelve by three but when you take time and listen to the question you realize the correct answer. Solomon gives wise counsel in Proverbs 18:13,

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

Listening is a skill of critical significance in all areas of our lives.  The listening process involves several stages:  Receiving, Understanding, Evaluating, Remembering, Responding

The ability to listen well is is even more complex when considering interpersonal relationships.  Do I take the time to really listen to the other person?

It is imperative that we take the time to truly listen to others and it is essential that we learn how to listen to God.  The ability to hear from God and respond to Him is one of the most important skills we can develop.  In this busy world, take some to heed the words of the Psalmist,

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  (Psalm 46:10)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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