Day 5: Monday 2/23

READ: James 1:19-21

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you — the very word that is able to save you.

REFLECT

Here's James getting practical. Quick to listen means we're actually present to people empire tells us to ignore. Slow to speak means we're not centering ourselves. Slow to anger means we're not demanding our own way. This is what it looks like to humbly receive God's word — it reshapes our instincts away from empire's reflexes: defend, dismiss, dominate.

RESPOND

In your next conversation today, practice being quick to listen and slow to speak — especially with someone the world tells you doesn't matter.

PRAY

God who listens to the cry of the poor and vulnerable, slow us down. Teach us to listen as you listen, to receive more than we demand. Amen.