Whatchoo talkin' bout??

When I began working in my field 20 plus years ago we would begin the day (Monday in particular) in our office gathered around the phone.  We would call up a number that opened up a voice message from our Region manager where he conveyed whatever direction or information he felt was important for us.  It often seemed to go on and on as we all sat and often made snarky comments - of course I would never do this today!  Most of us never met the region manager - but only knew his voice; if I mention Charlie's Angels here do I only date myself more?  The other primary communication tool was a multi-copy paper form called an "Econogram".  This was the 1990 version of an email.  You would write your message, tear off a copy to keep, and send the other copy to the recipient.  All of this taking place over a matter of days through the US mail.

It was shortly after this that we were introduced to email.  Today, a majority of my time is spent in writing or responding to emails.  While emails have streamlined the amount of time it takes to communicate to others it has created its own layer of work that I am not convinced really existed 25 years ago.  

Though this has become the primary tool for communication in today's business world, it is also widely recognized as often being a problematic form of communication. We are unable to see the speaker and read body language, facial expressions and intensity or lack of.  We cannot hear the tone of voice or relative emphasis on syllables or certain words or phrases.  Less than 10% of the meaning of communication is thought to be conveyed through our actual words.  Unfortunately, as the sender of an email you know what it is you are trying to convey and typically feel you have done so adequately.  And worse, as the recipient we often believe we are fairly good at decoding what the person who wrote the email really meant and felt.  Too often both miss the mark, resulting in unnecessary frustration and communication breakdown.  Writing something as simple as "ASAP" in an email can be interpreted many ways.

It is not uncommon to encounter similar issues when reading scripture.  This morning I read Matthew 11 which got me thinking of this issue.  Here is my very quick breakdown of the chapter...

• John sends a message to Jesus asking if he is in fact the Messiah.
• Jesus responds with sending back of encouragement to consider what he (Jesus) has done.
• Jesus talks about John being the greatest man that has ever lived.
• Jesus warns that those who have heard His message and seen his works without responding are doomed.
• Jesus says he is gentle and lowly in heart.

That's a lot to reconcile!  Does it mean I can question God?  Is God harsh and ready to punish me or is he "easy" and loving?  It is easy for me to find myself thinking how helpful it would have been to be there when Jesus said these things.  To have heard his tone of voice and read his body language.  Maybe even ask a clarifying question or two.  So, how do I ensure that I am understanding what has been written in his Word?  There are a number of elements to that answer, but the most critical one is found within chapter 11 itself...

Matthew 11:27 says, "...no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him".

Unlike with my email at work, the Spirit of God living within me is there to reveal the meaning of the Word of God.  God does not intend for us to struggle with understanding.  It is His desire to reveal himself to those who are in Christ Jesus.  He delights in this.

Turn your eyes to the Lord today and ask him to reveal himself through his Word to you.  See what happens.  He will not disappoint.