COMMUNICATION: Vital To All Creation
When you hear the word
‘mama’ or ‘tata’ from your little child’s lips, it is a thrilling experience
that no parent can fully describe. It is especially so for new parents. It
means a lot to know that a child is trying to communicate something to someone they fully trust. It is a call for attention that creates a fabulous connection
between the child and the parent. The ability to Communicate is truly a
precious gift that human have been bestowed with.
You may however need to
know that humans are not the only creatures that have the ability to
communicate. Animals, birds and even plants are able to communicate, largely by
natural instincts. Animals and birds will make different sounds for various
reasons, such warn other animal of approaching danger. In addition to a phenomenal variety of sounds, animals communication
includes gestures, attention grabbing colours, flashing lights and complex
scents. Yes, communication is vital to earth’s interdependent and intricate web
of life.
Communication serves
five major purposes: to inform, to express feelings, to imagine, to influence,
and to meet social expectations. Each of these purposes is reflected in a
form of communication.
But the point is, of
all earths’ creation, humans are the only beings that are not satisfied with
communication with each other. People have an innate desire to communicate with
a highest spiritual being, God, the Creator. This includes our capacity to
communicate with him as our father. He loves Communication with his creation so
much no wonder he is referred to as the “Hearer of Prayer”(Psalm 65:2.) This is
why we pray to him anytime. But how do humans communicate with God? Primarily, it
is by reading and applying the teachings of the Bible(2 Timothy 3:26.) Those
who regularly communicate with God gain his favour and peace.
Helpful Skills to Improve Your Communication
1. Listen with interest when others are talking and
avoid the habit of dominating conversations. "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1 :19)
2. Read
widely and judiciously. Take interest in life and the things around us. (Psalms 5:5, Proverbs 11:2)
3. Enlarge your vocabulary but with practical words not
show terms that draw attention to the speaker. People said of Jesus, "Never has
any man spoken like this"(John 7:46), yet even unlettered and ordinary people
had no difficult understanding His words, (Acts 4:13)
4. Speak clearly and pronounce words correctly. (1
Corinthians 14:8-9)
5. Recognize that your communication skills are a
Divine gift. This will motivate you to accord those skills due respect. (James
1:17)
In the Book, Christ Objects Lesson on the topic Talents, sub title Speech, Ellen G white gives this counsel, "The power of speech
is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of all the gifts we have
received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this. With
the voice we convince and persuade, with it we offer prayer and praise to God,
and with it we tell others of the Redeemer's love. How important, then, that it
be so trained as to be most effective for good. COL 335.2
The culture and right
use of the voice are greatly neglected, even by persons of intelligence and
Christian activity. There are many who read or speak in so low or so rapid a
manner that they cannot be readily understood. Some have a thick, indistinct
utterance; others speak in a high key, in sharp, shrill tones, that are painful
to the hearers. Texts, hymns, and the reports and other papers presented before
public assemblies are sometimes read in such a way that they are not understood
and often so that their force and impressiveness are destroyed. COL 335.3
This is an evil that
can and should be corrected. On this point the Bible gives instruction. Of the
Levites who read the Scriptures to the people in the days of Ezra, it is said,
“They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and
caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8. COL 335.4
By diligent effort all
may acquire the power to read intelligibly, and to speak in a full, clear,
round tone, in a distinct and impressive manner. By doing this we may greatly
increase our efficiency as workers for Christ."
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