Shout Without Screaming
By Lexi
Cole Ellis
“For
we are to God the pleasing aroma of
Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
It feels like there is little that
one can say without evoking a debate based solely on emotion rather than facts.
Just say, “Harambe” the gorilla, Target bathrooms, Republican nominee,
Democratic nominee…the list goes on. When did BOTH sides become so sensitive that
we cannot conduct a positive dialogue agreeing to disagree - - maybe even
thankful for another perspective? When have BOTH sides become carriers of incomplete
soundbites, filled with emotion and outrage, and not willing or able to distinguish
the greater complexity of the issue(s)?
Don’t get me wrong: We need to be
passionate. There ARE things we need to be fighting for. Yet I worry about our
lack of compassion and complete disregard for any credibility the “other side”
might have. Our “outrage” verges on over-exaggerating and alienating those whom
we, as believers, are called to love. The result? We become incapable of
recognizing that not everything is dogma; some opinions can be held with which
others can simply disagree.
Recently, one of our pastors shared
this point in a sermon that, as believers, we need to relearn how to “shout
without screaming.” [1] I was immediately captivated by the phrase. It echoed a lot of
what I was feeling.
How do we shout without screaming?
Shouting is to “utter a loud call or cry, typically as an expression of strong
emotion.” Screaming is to “cry something in a high-pitched, frenzied way” or to “urgently and vociferously call attention to one’s
views or feelings, especially ones of anger or distress.” [2] Both communicate beliefs that matter
deeply to us. Yet what makes the two words different is the tone that is used
when expressing oneself.
Jesus didn’t lack passion in His
opinions, and He certainly critiqued ungodly behavior. But His tone was not frenzied or vociferous. He wasn’t known exclusively for His (necessary) outrage
- - but also for His works of healing those with physical and spiritual needs.
Additionally, throughout the New Testament, Paul repeatedly writes that the
Church is to be known by its love for God and love for others.
It makes me wonder… How am I crying
out about the things that I feel strongly about? What does my tone sound like in
my conversations with others, in my workplace, or what I post on social media? Am I shouting or am I screaming?
May we be known as those who shout
without screaming.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Take some time to be honest with yourself. In your interaction
with others or on social media, are you shouting or screaming?
FURTHER READING:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog
named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade reading and writing, serves with
Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] April 24, 2016:
Oakwood Church sermon: "Learning to Ride a Bike" Nate Stenholtz, Family Life Pastor. http://www.oakwoodnow.org/resources/messages.html
Oakwood Church sermon: "Learning to Ride a Bike" Nate Stenholtz, Family Life Pastor. http://www.oakwoodnow.org/resources/messages.html
[2] Google dictionary: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=define:+screaming+
