A YEAR OF INTENTIONAL

A Year of Intentional Conversations

During recent storms the power went out. No TV was my first thought, followed by the thought that we’d just have to have a Thai take away. What a sacrifice! I’d need to go and get a supply of candles too. Chocolate would also cheer us up in such times as these. Chocolates are essential when a state of emergency arises. There was a flurry of activity with the purpose of making sure that we had the basics we needed as the light faded in order to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Yet, 142 years ago, this scenario we were interpreting as a minor disaster, was the norm. It wasn’t until 1879 that electric light burst onto the scene. Prior to that time, candles were essential, and not just for soft light ambience and aroma. What a difference 142 years makes, on many levels. One stark difference that the entrance of electricity meant was perhaps the subsequent reduction of conversation. Today, it is much easier to switch our attention to the various screens at our disposal. We are obsessed with screens, and with good reason. This amazing technology has given us incredible insights; windows of opportunity for information, commerce, and the maintaining of relationships around the globe. On the other hand, it has also given opportunity for more toxic behaviour as well.

Conversations still happen of course, and some might argue perhaps in contradiction to my earlier comment, that conversations have, in a way, increased. I guess it depends on how you define conversation. Is texting conversation? Is an email conversation? Is social media chat conversation? During this particular power outage, with no TV and only candlelight to read by, we reverted to speaking to each other. By ‘we’ I mean Mrs Chappy and myself. We actually talk a fair bit to each other, usually on a walk or during a meal. This was different though; it was more intimate, intentional.

All through this year we have been exploring the theme of conversation: the power of conversation (Term 1), conversations we need (Term 2), and more than words (Term 3). In Term 4, our theme was uplifting voices. On reflection these have been excellent themes; challenging and, at times, confronting. Confronting that is if we actually practise the principles taught. Humans, we have rediscovered, have a deep need to communicate. I’m in a boarding house lounge at the moment and all seven students present are on their

phones (it’s lunch time). They are texting, even with those in the same room! Is it because our screens provide a thin veil through which to peer and perhaps feel a little more secure?

A more overt and much publicised (and anticipated) conversation has been the recent one in Glasgow between world leaders and experts in the field of climate change. These are conversations that our young people (among others) feel should have happened decades ago. The ramifications of not doing so will be a price mainly paid by them and they are angry and frustrated. During a speech at Italy’s Youth4Climate summit, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg accused politicians of failing to act on climate change and described their promises as 30 years of “blah blah blah”.

Facta non verba rather than “blah blah blah” is the preference and was similar to our catch cry for Term 3 (more than words). The meaning of facta non verba is acts not words, often expressed as “actions speak louder than words”. True, it’s easy to speak a good game, much harder to actually play it. Spectators always know better, which is a frustration to those who are actually involved in the playing. Of course, being involved will cause bruises, errors, sweat, tears, but also the thrill and reward in taking part. Actions before words is what catches our attention. Words are in plentiful abundance. Take politicians for example. The common complaint that we sometimes have with this group is that they can be found wanting when it comes to practising what they preach. The reason why multitudes followed the carpenter from Nazareth was His example of the opposite. He was a consistent shower and teller, practising what He preached. He taught with unmatched insight but also actioned His teaching with remarkable effect. At times, the telling came after the showing because the intrigued onlookers were requesting an explanation. How good would it be if our actions for good prompted the need for explanation?

The challenge of climate change and COVID-19 has highlighted just how powerful conversations can be, either to pull down or lift up. When conversations are uplifting they spur us, persuade us, and jolt us into action. The major factor for conversations that encourage and lift up are always to be found in the mirror. We have incredible power for change through the way we speak, discuss, assess, and comment. The culture we want to see in our families, communities, nation, and world depend on the words we speak and the actions that arise as a result.

In the letter written by Jesus’s brother James, he writes: ‘A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything – or destroy it!’

Rev Gordon Lingard Senior Chaplain