If words had weight or didn’t, then there would be no phrase to qualify words as empty. Does this then mean that some words are full, half full and others empty? I guess the answer lies in the hands of the recipient. Empty words tend to be qualified by some as un-fulfilled promises, missed deadlines and failed commitments. Such scenarios have had many disappointed and relationships broken. Trust is a currency. When breached it hurts credibility.
This I know so well because in the Insurance Sector Insurers, sell promises in exchange for consideration with a promise to pay a claim in events of disaster. I can tell you emotions go up like fireworks exploding sky high. When a claimant is asked a genuine question to corroborate the facts preceding the claim, the claimants always perceive it as an act of refusal to pay the claim. When someone has lost something of value most times, they are not in a good emotional place to be. All they want to see is the Insurer show them they are ready to settle the claim and not tell them stories or better still ask any questions. In my first days selling Insurance I was called a liar, thief and dishonest. This was my induction and introduction to the trade! It stung. Yes, it did sting!
I got over it with time because my mentor reminded me it was an occupational hazard for an Insurance sales person to encounter insults from some prospects. When I appreciated that fact I knew how to respond when such darting and piercing encounters came my way.
On the other hand, I have heard some phrases that are tough to comprehend. “He told me that he loved me. He lied” she said. This was one most dreaded phrase I learnt and heard some friends say. It had its clarity that those were words said to one who had gone through a heart break. Not a good place to be. Followed by tears and withdrawal tendencies I noticed. Actions speak louder than words. I have heard this many times and I think it has been constructed as an adage.
Jesus Christ showed to follow what he told. When he spoke about service and servant leadership, he demonstrated by washing the feet of his disciples. John 13: 14-17. His love mission was one of action. All the miraculous encounters documented in the Bible are by all standards actions because their outcomes could be validated by many witnesses but the evidence was not only visible but could be verified. The day a lame man gets healed at the pool of Bethesda- John 5:13, He is instructed to go show himself to the Jewish Council of the elders for review and observation as the Jewish law required. What is the point here? Evidence. Show don’t tell has tangible evidence to go with it.
The key verb is action. James himself reminds us that faith without actions is dead. James 2:14-26. In our contemporary times today, many tell but few show face. The phrase ‘show don’t tell’ applies. We are called to live and put our faith to action. As Christians we are instructed by God’s word to lead lives that depict and demonstrate through our actions that we follow and accepted the risen Jesus Christ as our master. Our actions ought to be beyond reproach. Are you baring fruit as a Christian that depicts that you are a true Christian or does your Christianity have question marks? Show don’t tell!
Till next time.
