I was listening to the radio and a commentator had a short thirty second spot about her favorite verse. I listened to the spot with some interest as it is a verse that I have enjoyed reading. When the spot ended though I was struck by the vast nothingness of the words spoken. As if in thirty seconds what the commentator had said had actually taken away for the meaning of my day. I thought about the spot and what in particular the person had said that seemed so empty.
She had said,"So many choices have left this generation lost and seeking something more real." And she also said, "We can find hope in God to be our stability in life." I have heard those phrases before in many places church, conferences, and many Christian books. The idea dawned on me that the reason I felt the emptiness of the commentators was in the words. I have heard these phrases repeated over and over again. I hear more about the nature of God than I see in peoples lives. Why all the talk? Why is it that others do not stand up in their churches and demand more than words and phrases?
As a post Christian nation, I see more and more emphasis on talk. Talk about your problems. Talk about international issues and talk about national issues. Talk about religion. Christian are becoming infected by the idea that talk is the best way to show faith. Prayer has become talk. Talk is that form of interaction that takes not commitment on anyone's part. Talk can be good and helpful, but talk can be used to cloud and distort ideas. I hope that religion in this country has not degraded to the point where we are more about talk than acting on the ideas of God.
