Learning to Listen

Every semester I take two or three classes at a local university. Interpersonal Communication is one of the classes which I have this semester. Since my university is secular a lot of the material has to do with psychology and other such things which I don't agree with. But every so often I will find a little jewel of information, or participate in an exercise which really makes me think. These episodes are what make otherwise tedious classes worthwhile. Last week was one of those exercises.

We were instructed in advance to dress in grungy clothes (females were instructed to not wear makeup) and bring clothe plaster strips to class. We were also instructed to find someone to partner with. The assignment was to cover our partners face with plaster strips starting with their lips. During the whole process of "masking" we could talk about ourselves or anything which we wanted to. The other person couldn't talk because they had plaster on their lips. They were left with nothing to do during the process but LISTEN. After the first mask was finished we traded places. During the week we decorated the mask in a way which described the person. This week in front of everyone we presented them the mask and described our findings to the class.

For me I think this listening exercise will be a permanent mental picture reminding me of James 1:19. It's so easy to let pride take control and talk about nothing but ourselves. During this exercise I learned things about my classmate I probably never would have otherwise. We need to make the determined effort to care about other people and mentally engage with their words.

Masking partner (left) Teacher (middle) The Mask (right)