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‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’

—1 Samuel 3:9

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What is listening?

It is being passive.

But not everyday, run-of-the-mill passivity—not the kind achieved by man’s own will.

It is passivity that cannot be “achieved”.   Ever.   At all.   By mankind.

For it is active passivity.

Truly active. Truly passive.

But not a balance between the two. Not an evenly leveled scale, not an equal “score” of “5” for each. Listening is not a scientific or sociological accomplishment, nor is it a mere relationship between two contrarieties to be deemed healthy or valid by human means.

Listening is fullness.   A state—a becoming—a verb.   A noun—a subject—the ultimate adjective.

It is complete existence. It is pure life-giving action and it is pure passive reception—it is simultaneous conception and birthing—a total liberated consummation—to the entire degree—the maximum—and beyond.

Life and Death. Resurrection and Ascension. Glory and Praise.

It is achieved— “accomplished”— “brought into being”—by Grace—and the poverty of truly unworthy participation.

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)