Nougat 13

During a very stressful season in the office, one colleague’s mantra was ‘Be gentle with each other.’ I remember being a bit of a scoffer – wondering whether saying this out lord was necessary. As one guilty of both pouring out unkindness, and of feeling put out for receiving same, I soon understood the necessity of stating this out loud. But don’t mind my reasons, Today’s Holy Nougat offers clarity.

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Gong!!!!

The sound was tangible, felt in the very insides of one’s being, and reverberating throughout the core. For me, the sound of the gong was lovely, but thrice in rapid succession is my general limit. Imagine hearing such continuously and for no reason whatsoever. That may be the impact of our ministry if our words don’t reflect our deeds.

How many of us have mentally or literally dismissed the preaching of a charismatic leader (formal preacher or not) because we’re aware of the inside story? More critically, have we been squirming at the public mud-slinging at notable religious and political leaders?

I remember when a secular artist’s musical career came under threat when his pedophilia was revealed. And while we may say, rightly so, we should realize that responses to our Faith can be influenced by our words and actions. Remember the sons of Sceva? Acts 19 tells us that they tried to be copycat evangelists, following the trend of signs and wonders without that relationship with Jesus. The devils were not gentle in their response.

There is a Way to ensure coherence between our words and deeds. We can allow Love, the embodiment of Christ Jesus and evidence of God’s Spirit, to dwell in us richly. That’s guaranteed to have us fully aligned. It isn’t always easy, but we will find that we’re less gong-like and others will hear the Good News in our words and deeds.

May God’s Spirit continue to align us in Christ Jesus for the glory of God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ