Listening to the Holy Spirit:
That joy would be complete; give to each other the better gift. Take to them yourself in fullness, for the written is not as the presence, and the pen not as the touch. As the eyes are the windows of the soul, so the mouth speaks directly of the heart. The spirit is missed in absence, and distance brings misunderstanding. Walk along with one another. Reach, that touch also speaks. The laying of hands is with power, and embrace a strong messenger. Greet one another with gladness, and speak with love in tone and speech. For this is the way of My design that you would know one another fully, as I know each fully, and the brotherhood of the believers would be as one. Seek one another in time, that your eyes may speak as well.
1 Thes 2:17 (ESV) – But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,
2 John 12 (ESV) – Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
3John 1:14 (ESV) – I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Taking It to Work:
In the workplace, it is a general rule, that the more negative, difficult or controversial the subject, the higher the form of communication that is needed. In other words, the worst way to convey bad news is by text (our current lowest form of communication). The second worst way is an email. After that, maybe a hand-written letter, then better yet, a phone call, then maybe a video call, and then finally, in general, the best way to handle a difficult situation – face to face.
Actually, with all communications, the absolute most effective is face-to-face, good news or bad. Convenience and comfort drives us to use other forms, but whenever possible or practical, we should resort to the highest level of communication possible, for the best conveyance of our thoughts and feelings, and to minimize any misinterpretation or miscommunication. It may be easier and more comfortable to just send a text, but it is also easy for that text to be misread, and carry with it, something you never meant to convey.
In our current “semi-distanced” post-covid working world, we have become more and more distant in our communications. Texts, snaps, and other abbreviated social messaging are now the norms, and for many, the preference. Although you can generally get more accomplished in less time talking to someone on the phone, or even better, face-to-face, those more efficient forms of communication are becoming far too scarce, even to the point that many of the younger generation have admitted a fear of phone calls and in-person meetings, as they struggle with communication real-time.
The Word of God through Paul and John, points us past the fear, past the convenience of the keyboard, past even, in their case, the hand-written letter, to remind us that there is greater joy and effectiveness when we are face-to-face, person-to-person. It is the way we were designed to interact.
Who do you need to see face-to-face; to rub shoulders with? A lonely relative, a forgotten friend, or great coworker? Go. Step away from the keyboard and give and receive some face-to-face joy today. Your smile, and the twinkle in your eye are powerful communicators, still plenty safe, and for great communication in the workplace, oh so necessary, as His Word works through you, today.
