Articulate Sinners Anonymous
People have always told me that I am articulate. I used to think that being fairly articulate was a good thing. Expressing your thoughts with clarity would be a good goal for any of us. Not too long ago I was having a problem with someone. When I sought advise from a friend, she suggested that maybe this person found the fact that I was so articulate to be intimidating. Wow! One of my better traits might be forming a barrier between other people and me. It took me a while to understand how that could possibly be so. Perhaps those of us who are articulate and often times passionate, state things so well in a definite way, it is harder, if not impossible, for the other person to express himself. Ideas that are better than or as good as those expressed may go unspoken. God makes some of us more articulate not to increase our personal victories but to increase greater understanding for everyone. That should come from the expression of ideas of others as well as our own ideas. I'm certain I have been guilty of this. I know I need to guard against this in the future.
Recently I realized another problem that comes from being articulate. Those who are articulate as they communicate various aspects of the Christian life may understand Biblical concepts well and how they apply to our lives. Others may assume that the articulate person practices those principles as well as he talks about them. If only that were true! One of the biggest groups to fall into this problem are pastors and their wives. Pastors have done all that studying and preaching and therefore that's why they can sound so good. Wives have often been with their husbands during their seminary years, sometimes sitting in on classes with them. Many pastor's wives sit in presbytery meetings, listening to exams as men prepare to be either licensed or ordained. Pastors and their wives are often as familiar with the Christian terminology as they might be with their family's jokes or some of the abbreviations used on e-mails.(lol)
Although we should all be encouraging each other in righteousness no matter what, perhaps it would be nice if those who are considered to be articulate could have their own support group. I can see it now. Out of no where a notice of a new meeting appears at the bottom of the announcement sheet. Quiet conversations occur as people decide whether to laugh at such a support group or whether to mark the date on the calendar. Finally the day arrives. Quietly a small group, some individually and some with a spouse or a friend, slips into the classroom off from the sanctuary where they all meet to worship God every Sunday morning. The leader explains what the group is all about. The man beside the leader quietly stands. He nervously opens and closes his hands as he looks down at the notes he has made.
He clears his throat and then begins. " Hi, I'm Jim and I am an articulate sinner" and everyone says, "Hi, Jim." Jim goes on, "How well I speak does not make my sin any less or my need for our savior any less. I need much encouragement to do what honors God and furthers his kingdom. I will seek to do what pleases me above all else with out your prayers and encouragement."
Jim sits down and the next person stands. Each person starts with the statement " I am an articulate sinner." and then he states his name. After the first line each one makes his own personal statement.. Would such a group really make a difference in our churches? What an amazing thing it would be if every believer who talks well would also walk well.Thank God that his work in us is still happening.
Recently I realized another problem that comes from being articulate. Those who are articulate as they communicate various aspects of the Christian life may understand Biblical concepts well and how they apply to our lives. Others may assume that the articulate person practices those principles as well as he talks about them. If only that were true! One of the biggest groups to fall into this problem are pastors and their wives. Pastors have done all that studying and preaching and therefore that's why they can sound so good. Wives have often been with their husbands during their seminary years, sometimes sitting in on classes with them. Many pastor's wives sit in presbytery meetings, listening to exams as men prepare to be either licensed or ordained. Pastors and their wives are often as familiar with the Christian terminology as they might be with their family's jokes or some of the abbreviations used on e-mails.(lol)
Although we should all be encouraging each other in righteousness no matter what, perhaps it would be nice if those who are considered to be articulate could have their own support group. I can see it now. Out of no where a notice of a new meeting appears at the bottom of the announcement sheet. Quiet conversations occur as people decide whether to laugh at such a support group or whether to mark the date on the calendar. Finally the day arrives. Quietly a small group, some individually and some with a spouse or a friend, slips into the classroom off from the sanctuary where they all meet to worship God every Sunday morning. The leader explains what the group is all about. The man beside the leader quietly stands. He nervously opens and closes his hands as he looks down at the notes he has made.
He clears his throat and then begins. " Hi, I'm Jim and I am an articulate sinner" and everyone says, "Hi, Jim." Jim goes on, "How well I speak does not make my sin any less or my need for our savior any less. I need much encouragement to do what honors God and furthers his kingdom. I will seek to do what pleases me above all else with out your prayers and encouragement."
Jim sits down and the next person stands. Each person starts with the statement " I am an articulate sinner." and then he states his name. After the first line each one makes his own personal statement.. Would such a group really make a difference in our churches? What an amazing thing it would be if every believer who talks well would also walk well.Thank God that his work in us is still happening.
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