Tag Archives: listening

As a former teacher, there were certain students that could do no wrong in my eyes. From time to time, I would visit the teacher’s lounge during my free period. If the timing was right, I asked other teachers for their perspective on a student to see how they behaved in their classroom. After listening to the insight of my peers, I began to see these imperfections for myself.

Jacob heard Laban’s sons complaining, Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s; he has acquired all this wealth and honor from what belonged to our father. ² And Jacob noticed that Laban looked at him less favorably than before. ³ Then the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and to your people, and I will be with you. ⁴ So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, ⁵ And he said to them, I see how your father looks at me, that he is not [friendly] toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me, Genesis 31:1-5.

Based upon the words of Moses, Jacob had developed a good work ethic as a herdsman and shepherd. Despite not being athletic, Jacob learned from others, adopting and using successful practices. Like a mechanic who could fix any vehicle, Jacob’s breeding practices where cutting edge. Unfortunately, as Jacob’s herd prospered, envy and jealousy poisoned Laban’s relationship with his son in law.

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [^[l]against God] and ^[m]questioning and doubting [among yourselves], ¹⁵ That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, ¹⁶ Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose, Philippians 2:14-16.

If you allow yourself to become surrounded by negative people, it won’t be long before individuals you once looked up to will lose their shine. As bitterness, complaining, and grumbling alter your perspective, guard yourself from having your mind and soul poisoned by negativity. The next time you find your perspective poisoned, remember the words of Colossians 3:12-14, so that love will conquer all, and forgiveness will lead to second chances, Matthew 6:13-15.

by Jay Mankus