While words are very important in communication, sometimes
it’s the non verbal communication that actually “speaks” volumes!
Non verbal communication can include such
things as gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact (or lack
thereof); body language, posture, and other ways people can communicate without using language.
Such non verbal communication can sometimes
be quite clear and effective. A hug, for
example, can communicate love or support or concern. A finger held upright to the lips can
communicate the need to be quiet or to keep a secret. Hands held up, palms out, can communicate
surrender or I’m finished.
The Lord used the Prophet Jeremiah to highlight
some non verbal communication that people were using as they responded to God: “They turned
their backs to me and not their faces…” (Jer 32:3)
The non verbal communication of turning our faces toward
someone normally means that we are giving them our attention. When we turn our back on someone, it usually
means we are ignoring them or, even worse, that we are rejecting them.
The second part of the verse makes it clear that God very
much understood their non verbal communication:
“…though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond
to discipline.”
It was bad enough that they did not turn their faces to God but
in turning their backs on God, they made it fairly obvious that they were rejecting
what He had to say.
While we may not necessarily demonstrate those specific non
verbal communication cues to God, He does know our hearts and so it is so very
important to keep our hearts tender, teachable and turned toward Him!
Comments
Post a Comment