Say More than a Soundbite
Kingdom Queens,
This word’s been on my mind after — I’m sure you can guess — another tour through the “book of faces.” The part of me wired to love order got all riled up at the way we flock to sayings that when we follow them, do not lead us to substance. These catchy phrases, even if true, without something to follow (or do, as a corresponding work to faith) amount to little more than sound bites.
I sat, and in a moment of part sadness and part supplication, I asked the Father what to make of this. He validated the sound bites, and I understood that they are what whet our appetites for the substance that should follow. They, though, are not the substance.
Where in the Word did I go? the parable of the sower…Jesus explained the types of ground.
Way Side = hears Kingdom message but does not understand Stony = hears message & accepts at once with joy, but has no root and while he stays a while, immediately falls away when persecution comes for the message Thorns = hears message but it gets choked by worries of the world & deceitful glamour of wealth so that it produces nothing Good Ground = hears and understands, & surely bears fruit
Between the parable and its explanation, Jesus says something valuable to the disciples about why some need parables and some don’t. I say this as well to us.
But you, how blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear! Yes indeed! I tell you that many a prophet and many a righteous person longed to see the things you are seeing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them. Matthew 13:16-17 (CJB)
My prayer is that we stay encouraged in fully understanding the Word that is being made flesh in and through us. Do not dumb down the substance. Do not reduce it. It exists for the hungry, and one day some will come and from various conditions ask for milk, meat, bread of life and living waters…after the soundbite.
We have the privileges of sight and hearing — seeing God’s involvement in the earth and hearing His instruction. Let’s maintain the spiritual advantage and stay ready to say more than what is catchy, common or usual. Let’s honor our King and reign with substance.
Selah, and love to all.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 