People will not care what you say until they know that
you care. Showing other people that you
care is the foundation of all right relationships. It is the foundation of good preaching, too.
If a preacher wants to be heard by a congregation – if I
want to be heard by a congregation, the congregation has to know that I care
for them. If they know that the person
preaching to them cares for them, the likelihood that they will listen
increases. Read from James chapter three
(Peterson’s The Message paraphrase):
Real wisdom, God’s
wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along
with others. It is gentle and
reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day
and cold the next, not two-faced.
You can develop a healthy, robust community
that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard
work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and
honor. (Verses 17-18)
Real wisdom, godly wisdom, begins with getting along
with others. It is hard work to get
along with others. It is hard work to
treat other people with dignity and honor.
But these are first steps in showing people that you truly care for
them. On these building stones, you can
develop a healthy and robust community.
People will know that you care when you fully engage in this work. Yes, people will know that you care, and they will care what you say. When we achieve such a place of trust and honor, let us use it wisely. Let us pray for God’s wisdom and seek to speak that godly wisdom boldly.
It is true.
People will not care what you say until they know that you care.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
P.S. I have been without internet for a while now. You are going to get a large dose today!
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