Yelling At Me Will Never Change My Mind

       Of the many ways to get my attention, yelling is the absolute worst. I do not believe I am alone in this, yet we seem to have chosen this as a primary form of communication in our modern culture. People are attracted to noise, sure, but can anyone actually testify that this method was instrumental in altering their worldview?

       Most commonly, the yelling is done into an echo chamber. The angry-sounding preacher preaches to the choir. The ALL CAPS SOCIAL MEDIA WARRIORS cast their opinion into the abyss of a chat that most will ignore and others will troll. Rioters start fires for a mainstream media that is already on their side.

       I am not saying that we cannot or should not get passionate about things. We absolutely should preach firey sermons. We should feel free to share our opinions. And we should protest if the situation calls for it. But to continue to yell after you already have someone's attention is downright childish. Effective communication requires an understanding of your audience.

       Most communicators today seem to have lost this art. Politicians speak from a platform without knowing what their constituents actually go through on a daily basis. Media's talking heads speak from strange worldviews not familiar to most of the viewers. Celebrities pretend to be normal people with normal problems who are in this thing with us, but couldn't tell you how much a gallon of milk costs. The ignorance is deafening.

       All the while, we get a barrage of these same people telling us how to think, what to feel, and where to shop. They use children to shame us about climate change on national television, declaratively asking, "How dare you!?" I, for one, am tired of being spoken to this way.

       I am reminded of how God chose to speak to Elijah at the mountain cave in 1 Kings 19:

"...the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

- 1 Kings 19:11-12

       It was with that still small voice that God chose to speak to Elijah. And He was not telling him simple things. He was telling him about major events that would take place. He revealed the future to Elijah, not through strong winds, an earthquake, or fire, but through a still small voice.

       God has always seemed to prefer intimate settings and methods to do His greatest work. He chose to announce His covenant with Abraham in a private vision. He chose to speak through prophets that the people did not appreciate. He chose to bring His son into the world in a stable. He chose to bless the early church with the Holy Spirit in a mere house. He gave John the revelation while he was alone on the island of Patmos.

       Perhaps we could learn something from God here. Maybe we, too, could be more effective if we learned to communicate quietly. It is possible that the greatest work we accomplish will not be for everyone to hear, but simply for those who will listen. Maybe we could make more positive change by throwing a pebble that creates ripples on the opposite shore than by making waves.

       I will make it my goal to ignore anyone who thinks they can yell at me. I will still listen for the cry of the afflicted and hurting, but I refuse to listen anymore to the attention-seekers and peace-breakers. Instead, I will listen to the quiet voices who speak from a place of wisdom and caring. And I will strive to speak from a place of humility myself. 

       This is my pebble in the pond of culture.