John 7:50, 51 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (NIV)

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Listening is a gift. 

Positive, focused attention unties knots, loosens tongues, and unburdens hearts. 

I am still amazed that, when mentoring or coaching someone, they stop mid-conversation and say, “Just talking about this makes me feel better.” 

The burdens we carry within are heavy, sometimes too heavy. Often, they become more and more debilitating the longer we try to bear them. 

Nicodemus visited Jesus that night, as recorded in John chapter 3. We don’t have a record of him making a firm decision for Jesus that night, but something happened. Something happened that made him willing to listen to him again, to learn more from him, and to have his own thoughts challenged and redirected. 

Nick at night is a good role model. He went to the source. He listened deeply. He pondered what he heard long after the conversation ended. 

Social media doesn’t often give us this same gift. Stories tend to come out emotionally hot and one-sided. People who enrage me seldom engage me. 

Go back up the page a bit. Read verses 37-39. When the Spirit of God is flowing through us to others, he gives life. If our prophetic proclamations on social media or in personal conversations are truly righteous and fully faithful to God, they will give life. They will build up. They will edify. They will encourage. 

Nicodemus left Jesus that night confused, but not in a bad kind of confusion. It was the kind of confusion that longed for more. Jesus gave him open loops to continue pondering. Jesus gave him a reason to continue thinking. Jesus gave him an opportunity for his life to be changed in every respect, forever and ever. 

Living water, indeed. 

Listen deeply. Ask powerful questions. Receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit direction. Empower others to receive this refreshing change of life as well.

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I will give the gift of listening ears and pass along the river of living water. 

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Our Father, give me ears to hear what you are saying to me. Give me a calm presence that invites others to tell their stories. Make me a channel of your living water that brings life to everything it touches. Amen.