Devotional Series:   Holy Conversations

Begins February 8, 2010 

This devotional series will continue through Lent

     

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We can’t stop talking. Verbal exchange has become our culture’s latest drug. We’re addicted to it. At the next red light that catches you and forces you into a momentary stillness, take a look around. How many fellow travelers are on their cell phones? You may not need to look too far – perhaps no further than the phone in your own hand.

If we’re not talking with someone, chances are we’re letting someone talk at us. Talk radio is everywhere. TV talk-shows dominate daytime programming. Talk, talk, talk. Words flood the airwaves, fill email boxes, come at us pop-corn style in text messages. Everyone is talking.

But with all the talk, a good conversation is almost impossible to find. Sure, there’s plenty of talk – but nothing of real consequence is being said. We’re good at talking. We’re not so good at conversation. Yes, there are times when we simply need to exchange information with someone. We need to work out the logistics of a meeting or make an inquiry into a billing error. But caution is called for. The threat is that a prolonged use of words that is quick and efficient will slowly diminish our capacity for truly holding conversation with another person.

Jesus was a master conversationalist. He knew how to meet a person and somehow he managed to go deep before he let them go. He used words that chiseled away the crust of superficiality and he spoke of things that mattered; eternal things. Have you ever wished you could talk to someone else that way?

On Monday, February 8th, we will begin a new devotional series: “Holy Conversations".  For the next several weeks, leading up to Easter,  we will walk through the gospel of John and listen in as Jesus engages people in conversation. We will be selective, generally spending several days with one passage of scripture. This format will ask you to carefully listen to the scripture text. If you can read the devotional with a Bible, you’ll likely get far more from this daily discipline.

The aim of this devotional series is to listen to a holy conversation. Our role model is Jesus, and our attention will be focused on the issues and questions that he addressed with people he encountered. Hopefully, these days of holy eavesdropping will equip us to engage in holy conversations. So pull up a chair. One of the conversations Jesus is having may very well be with you.

This devotional series is an adaptation from the series presented to Peachtree Presbyterian Church, by Pastor Mark Crumpler.