Are We Still Communicating?
Author: Brad Duty
My wife has pointed out that I talk with my hands. I usually don’t think much about it and certainly wasn’t conscious of it. But then COVID-19 hit. My seminary classes suddenly all went online. Sunday school is by Zoom. Meetings are by Zoom; and we recently conducted a Church Budgets webinar via Zoom. Sure enough, I could see my hands occasionally pop up into the bottom of the screen. I gesture emphatically to clarify an idea. I tick off on my fingers as I list supporting points. I chop down on my open left hand with my right hand to make a final closing argument. Yet when the people could only see my face on the screen – my gestures were lost.
A little bit of research showed that in our US culture less than 10% of the message when people talk is verbal (words only). The rest is split between vocal (tone, inflection, pitch, etc.) at 35-40%, and nonverbal at over 50%. Does that mean more than 50% of my message is not getting through? With that small image seen in multi-person Zoom sessions, and the often hard-to-hear vocal aspects, communication is suffering. We must work extra hard to ensure we communicate clearly! (Imagine my right hand chopping down into the palm of my left to emphasize that point.)
Fortunately for us, God doesn’t need Zoom, is unfazed by noise, and can always see us clearly no matter the light or how close we sit to the camera. But without in-person Church Services or Sunday School for most of us, are we still communicating with God? Are we maybe slacking off by doing other things while we watch streaming service? Are we indignant with God because of the impact and inconvenience of COVID 19?
God is still there. God wants to hear from us. Frustrated or lonely? Let God know. Wondering what this is about and why? Ask God. Need some help, or patience with all the people suddenly sharing your living space so much more? Talk to God. Need to blow off steam or vent? You can yell at God, too. God can take it and would rather have you take it out on God than on your loved ones or neighbors.
Don’t take my word for it. Some ancient friends of mine, that you probably recognize, shared their advice in a really good book I highly recommend:
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Prayer: Lord God, these are challenging times. When will it end? In the meantime, despite how hard it seems, help me remember to turn to you first, not as a last resort. Open my heart to receive the Holy Spirit and to help me love my neighbors as Christ commands.
About the Author:
Brad Duty is a Summer Intern with the Virginia United Methodist Foundation. He is a graduate student at Wesley Theological Seminary working on his Master of Divinity and is also a member of Sydenstricker UMC.
