Articles
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith
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"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."
- Col. 4:6
All birds communicate with sound and this red-bellied woodpecker was certainly communicating something to an approaching blue jay. What the message was, I do not know, but it surely sounded to me like a threat, a warning to stay away. The volume was loud and the pose was intimidating. Whatever the message was it caused the approaching blue jay to fly away. What we say and how we say it is important. Our speech can be gracious and uplifting or it can be threatening and divisive. It seems to me that hate speech in our country has grown more and more bitter in my lifetime. And what bothers me most is that this kind of speech often comes from the lips of those who claim to be Christians. In our day political views often come dressed in the robes of Christianity which can distort and demean both. I have acquaintances who suggest or even outright say that if you belong to a certain political party you are not a Christian. Scripture tells us we are to be gracious in our speech and that our speech should be seasoned with salt. In biblical times salt was seen as a preservative or as an additive to food to make it more palatable. In other words, salt was a good thing. Our speech should also be something that is kind, gracious, and enhancing. Can we speak about issues which tend to be divisive in a kind way? Can we disagree without being disagreeable? Can we focus on what unites us and still stand on principle? Can the church be known for its love instead of its hate? Is it really possible for us to love and be gracious to our most strident enemies? Jesus thought it was. And so do I. - John
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