In this day and age words are cheap. In our information-overloaded world, words have become like background noise. However, words and language are what make being human possible. Language creates culture, enables communication, and with culture, forms identity. Yet language has been cheapened by Western society that has prepackaged it, commercialised it, and pulped it into shallow propaganda. A shallow language has created a shallow culture.

Words become powerful when supported by action and demonstration. Its no good me saying I love you, but have no meaningful relationship with you. Sharing a meal with someone says more about friendship than words ever can. Love is expressed far more meaningfully by concrete acts of hospitality and presence than merely by verbal expression. Words and deeds need to go hand in hand. There needs to be continuity between them. If there is not, our language becomes propaganda; disconnected, insincere, verbal muzak.

Appropriate physical contact and demonstration of love (agape love) has something sacramental about it. Physical touch can go to spiritual depths where words cannot. Jesus of Nazareth understood that touch has a transforming and healing power. He understood this very well. Remember that he offered and accepted physical contact with those most alienated from, and disgraced by, respectable society. Remember there is inappropriate physical contact too, which does much spiritual damage. We need to be careful, prayerful and mature about the ministry of healing touch. People are desperate for meaningful, godly, healing contact that is sincere and matches the words we speak.

Let us be a Church that offers people the Good News of Jesus Christ in both Word and Deed!

Blessings,

KIM THODAY

HEWETT COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA