Words. Some say they’re “a-dime-a-dozen” or “cheap!” Lots of banter, hot air and (to quote the Grinch) “noise, noise, noise!” With all of this talking, you’d think that we would be a well-engaged, highly-socialized society. As it turns out, contact and retention is often the victim of quantity. Some have called it “information overload.” Others would point to an overly stimulated version of attention deficit disorder. Wives often wish their husbands would listen to them…and actually remember what they said! Perhaps that’s what sparked this observation from Gworge Bernard Shaw; he said “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
Oh to be like Samuel! As Samuel grew up, the Bible tells us, “The Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). Every pastor dreams of becoming an effective communicator. Not only do we want to preach, lead and counsel well (meaning with force, conviction, persuasion and inspiration), our ultimate desire is that our words would matter. But this is true of everyone. No one desires to spend breath merely to fill dead air space. How can our words matter?
Do you feel like your words are “falling to the ground” (or on “deaf-ears” as we say)? Why not try praying before, during and after you speak to ask the Lord to “translate” what you have spoken into discernable, understandable and meaningful communication to the recipients. I do this every Sunday morning before I get up to preach. Only God can rescue our words and complete the communication cycle. Maybe on our part, less really is more! Maybe that’s why Solomon advised us, “Let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Make sure every word you speak is bathed in grace, spoken in love and supported by prayer.
Pastor David Parker