"Saying something twice communicates exactly the same thing both times" is a false assumption about communication.
Be generous, kind and unselfish were words I thought I understood and was, before I got married and had children. When I had children these words took on a completely different, close to the ground and more challenging meaning. As a single person I thought I was kind and I planned and was involved in many different good activities. But, in hindsight I did things on my own terms and when I wanted to do them. When I married and we had children I realised how shallow my being unselfish was. To do things to give my wife, Robyn a rest. To end up with many half empty cold cups of tea as I was called to help one of my children. Now, my oldest son is 15 years old, and I find that I am truly more willing to be interested and give time to my childrens own plans and concerns.Life has given me a deeper understanding on what the word unselfish means.
I would want a congregation to remember to be open to hearing the same word/s in their lives again and again with a sense of newness and anticipation of a deeper insight or meaning that would enrich their journey of following Jesus . Scripture is a living word and the same word can have a deeper meaning depending on when you hear or experiance it on your life's journey of faith.
I totally agree that saying the exact same word twice, does not necessarily communicate the same meaning! When God tells me He loves me, it is obviously a different kind of love than when I hear the same words from my wife! Then again when I hear these words from my 9 year old daughter, it fills my hart with an overwhelming good sensation as a father. It then leaves me with the silent whisper "at least it looks like I am doing something right!"
ReplyDeleteGood one, thanks.
Blessings.