Can You Tell?

Discernment is such a rare gift...

Sometimes I have to keep reminding myself that I cannot fuss over insensitivity because people are not always sensitive to tell that something more significant is brewing. With so much that is going on around us, there is only a small window to gleaming exposure to what is going deeper that makes it hard to see.

I am wondering if I am trying to ration certain things into logical sense when it comes to discernment. I wondered if the skill of reading between the line is a skill that can be acquired; that when James said that we are to be quick with our listening and slow to our speaking has an intentional element that we can be discipline about. But time and time again, it is proven to me that discernment is still a gift and one that is uncommon.

The gift of discernment is at risk with the contending superficiality that many in the church has put up with. But the biggest contender yet... self interests.

Can you tell from the content and direction of a investigative conversation is simply someone screaming out in pain? Can you tell if someone is wearing a mask? Can you tell if someone is actually bleeding hard when he is trying to offend his enemy? Or are you too busy with your own concerns?