Crabb has a wonderful understanding and relationship with our Trinitarian God. I've often wondered what to say to people when they come for advice. After reading SoulTalk, my strategy will now be:
1) Think beneath: every person's reality is who the Trinity is, who we are, and what the real battle is
2) Think vision: what does the Trinity want in this person's life? WIJD What is Jesus Doing? Often the person is focused on himself and on pain relief or blessings and I oblige by jumping in with advice and solutions. I have to think beyond that and help the person beyond that. Way easier said than done as I'd often rather have pain relief and blessings in my life as well. Usually what God wants is for us to get our focus off ourselves and back on Him.
3) Think passion: remember that God loves this person with a love that we can never comprehend although we can help each other apprehend it. Let this divine love infuse my love for this person. I must get the focus off myself and what is expected of me and any feelings of inadequacy or desire to be seen as wise. (Crabb says that attitude needs to be repented of but hey, he gets paid to listen and be wise.)
4) Think story: listen with "transcendent curiousity" to that person's story. Let the person talk. Ask questions. Don't hasten to give advice. While listening to the person, also listen to what God is saying to us. He is in the midst of our conversation.
5) Think movement: find a way back to the dance. It's all about the dance. Truly, a person's life can be an unfixable and unbelievable mess but if he could know (mentally, spiritually and emotionally know) that dance, it'll be all right. Then we can know joy and peace in the midst of suffering. We can hope. We can endure. We are able to see the manna God provides. We can live another day.
