I Do Speak Good.

Communication is rare: at least good communication.

All around us we see forms of dialogue that are only one sided. Books, movies, advertisements, speeches, even everyday conversation often do nothing more then throw out words; they don’t actually communicate, or what they do communicate is not at all what they are saying. The problem is that communication is much more than just words.

Our word for communication comes from the Latin word communicare. Its root words are ‘cum’, meaning with, and ‘unio’, which is where we get our word union. One of my professors describes communicare as a journey between two (or more) people. Communication is a union with someone, a sharing of some story, a journey to some mutual conclusion. Good communication requires the communicator to meet people where they are at. The best books I’ve ever read are those that make me feel like I’m right there in the story, a part of the action. In all honesty though, good communication is risky. Anytime unity is required and sharing is involved we are vulnerable. Great communication takes courage.

The most audacious and incredible communicator in all of history is Jesus Christ. He didn’t appear in glory with thunder and lightning. He didn’t shout from the heavens “I AM God!” Instead, the king of the universe came and lived a human life—born in a manger, lived as an outcast, killed as a criminal. He met us, humanity, where we were, where we are. He didn’t talk at us, he communicated with us so that we could share with Him His story: a book whose pages are drenched in a love; a protagonist who defeats death, sorrow, and pain; and a conclusion that overwhelms with joy.

So in light of all this it seems appropriate that we ask ourselves…

“How well am I communicating?”