Communication

Communication, i.e. the lack of, seems to be the water cooler discussion for a sundry of folks who feel uninformed, by-passed or simply forgotten. In the infamous words of the warden in Cool Hand Luke, “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” I love quality control’s assessment… it wasn’t in the bulletin, they didn’t have it on the auditorium screen, it wasn’t announced, nobody told me… and wafting over the crowd the shrill voice of the Queen of Hearts bellowing, “Off with their heads! Off with their heads!” We just don’t put up with poor communication! What we need is a communication specialist –wait, that sounds like a government response and we know where that road ends up. Maybe, what we need is a more specific identification of the problem. Poor communication often is the symptom of several problems or combination of breakdowns. So, how do we do a better job? I know… maybe we should turn to Scripture for insight.

Remember that Moses felt his communication skills lacked something to be desired (O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, I am slow of speech and tongue Exodus 3:10). God’s response to Moses’ pessimism was to remind him that God made him and God would provide! God initially provided by Aaron speaking for him but as Moses’ confidence grew he spoke for himself. Communication that relies on God and is filled with His Spirit (Paul calls it full of grace Colossians 4:6) is not only articulate but also spiritually motivated. And here is my point (and I hope God’s point)… Moses was misunderstood, and so was Aaron… and Paul, Peter, John and Jesus our Lord. Communication is not just about conveying information… it is also about building and lifting others in the Lord! Communication begins with common union. So, both listener (bulletin reader, screen watcher, oblivious observer, etc.) and speaker share the message. Thus, we all are in this together.

And I said all that to say this… Listen to one another in the Spirit of Christ and come to the table with open arms and gentle spirits that share the joy of the Lord and the challenge of walking in the footsteps of Christ our Lord! -DAN