The Greatest Service You Can Perform

“To ‘listen’ another’s soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another. But in this scrutiny of the business of listening, is that all that has emerged? Is it blasphemous to suggest that over the shoulder of the human listener, there is never absent the silent presence of the Eternal Listener, the living God? For in penetrating to what is involved in listening, do we not disclose the thinness of the filament that separates [people] listening openly to one another, and that of God intently listening to each soul?”

— Douglas Steere, 1955 (source)
American Quaker ecumenist and professor

Today’s Invitation

Try to give the gift of your time and presence instead of your advice.

This Week’s Query

What is a leading (or a “calling” or a “nudge”)?

How do you distinguish the voice of the Spirit from all others?

Share your response!

Banner image: Adrian Martinez

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Author

  • Douglas Van Steere (August 31, 1901 – February 6, 1995) was an American Quaker ecumenist and professor of philosophy and theology. Steere organized Quaker post-war relief work in Finland, Norway and Poland, was invited to participate as an ecumenical observer in the Second Vatican Council and co-founded the Ecumenical Institute of Spirituality. He authored, edited, translated and wrote introductions for many books on Quakerism, as well as other religions and philosophy.

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