The Story is Told of the man who went to his pastor for counseling concerning his marriage.  After a few preliminaries, the pastor said he had a few questions that would help identify the problems if he would answer his questions as openly as possible.  He agreed, the pastor began: “Do you have any grounds?”  He replied, “Why yes we do, we have ten acres south of town.”  “No Sir,” the pastor said, “that’s not what I meant.  What I mean is do you have a grudge?”  “Oh, no,” he responded, “but we have a nice little carport.”  “No.” said the pastor, “what I mean is does your wife beat you up?”   “Beat me up?”  No, I always get up before she does just about every morning.”  In complete exasperation, the pastor said, “You are just not listening to me.  Why are you having trouble with your wife?”  

“well,” he said, “the woman just doesn’t know how to communicate!”

How important communication is for all of us. It can be really frustrating when it is lacking.  God communicates with His people as clearly and concisely as He can, and yet we still don’t get it!

The best example of communication is Jesus Christ.  He engaged with people through questions, parables, personal engagement, truth-telling, and intentional silence, adapting His approach to their needs and understanding.

Jesus’ words, deeds, and actions communicated love, clarity, and respect.  He used this methods of communication to build, guide, and teach rather than to belittle or manipulate.  His approach combined tenderness with firmness, always aiming to nurture understanding and righteous relationships.

We have God’s Word and can connect with the message of Jesus Christ.  That message is one of love and we see suffering, death, and resurrection that becomes our song of victory!  That is the Gospel we are privileged to live and share.  When we can communicate it to someone else, we are beginning to understand what it means to be His disciples.

Pastor Don Treglown

“But what does it say? “ The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim.”   Romans 10:8