Last week my husband was watching a talk show and the host was doing a Q&A. A woman in the audience stood up and asked if it was necessary for her to feign interest in a conversation if the person talking is just going on and on. I think a great many of us have been "caught" in conversations we're not particularly interested in, but I was shocked that someone would actually voice this question.
More shocking was the host's response. He told her no, she did not have to pretend to be interested in what the other person was saying and should quickly get away from the "offender." At first I thought he was kidding - probably because I thought the question was absurd - but it turns out he was serious. He said he hates nothing more than for someone to drone on and he thinks it's foolish to waste his valuable time listening. He went on to say that his agent tells him, if it's not making him any money, it's not worth his while. He told the woman her time was also too valuable to be wasted listening to someone she had no interest in.
All I could voice upon hearing this was "wow!" To the woman's credit, she actually did seem dumbstruck. Almost as though she was expecting him to say yes, that politeness dictates you hear the person out. It seemed she was now faced with a dilemma - opt for rudeness and walk away or show another human being some compassion.
This is part of what's wrong with our world today. People value themselves so much, it's hard for many of them to fathom that others also have great worth. In the eyes of God, we are all equal, unique, wonderful and beautiful creations. Humans refuse to see that simple fact.
We are so caught up in the world that if someone doesn't have money, the right job, the right car, the right this or the right that - then they are not worth our time. In other words, they have no value.
Honestly, all I could think was....what if you are the only one who listens to this person and you tell him he's not worth your time? What if the only reason why he hasn't committed suicide is because he thinks you care about him? What if the only thing keeping him from going to a mall or a school and opening fire is the fact that he truly believes you are his friend?
I would love to contact this talk show host and tell him to get over himself. If he thinks he hasn't droned on and on to someone in his lifetime, he's sadly mistaken. I feel pretty safe saying we have all bored someone with our incessant chatting at some time or another. Unfortunately, he appears to only have enough heart to love himself. What a shame! I pray for him - that God will show him true love.
Jesus tells us that what we do unto the least of our brethen, we do unto Him. Where are you ignoring Jesus in your life?
