Listening with Hope

An Advent Reflection and an Awesome Playlist

Get ready for my favorite soap box.

In my 15 years of church-based community engagement ministry, the vast majority of outreach I’ve seen is based on the assumption that our neighbors are needy and we (as God’s gift to our community) have exactly what they need. It’s a terrible way to approach a person made in the image of God. Your neighbors are gifted, brilliant, complicated people with deep longings. They are not people to be fixed, they are friends to be enjoyed.

If you’ve been approaching your neighbors like a TLC house-flipping tv star there’s another way. Try listening with hope.

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

—Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

Advent reminds us that the kingdom of God is inbreaking all around us. Go out into the community to look and listen for it! How is the light of Christ shining through your neighbors? Where is the Holy Spirit stirring in your community?

When you find Christ at work in the community, join in!

The Hope Playlist

Now that I’ve stepped down from my soapbox it’s time to enjoy The Listening Church Advent Hope Playlist, created by your fellow readers. It’s so good!

Join The Listening Church Music League today and submit a song for the Advent Love Playlist!