A failure to communicate…

It was one of the most memorable lines from a classic Hollywood movie called, Cool Hand Luke, starring the legendary Paul Newman.  “What we have here, gentlemen, is a failure to communicate.”  The irony is that the line was delivered by a cruel, stubborn prison guard who didn’t lack for communication at all, but for basic human empathy and compassion. 

Sometimes our inability to communicate can take on almost comic overtones. Consider these poorly worded signs in
various locations, attempting to be helpful:

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.

In an office:   

AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.

Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC.  WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR. (a little punctuation wouldn’t have hurt)

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS.

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

These actual miscommunications remind me of the time I was serving a church in Dallas which posted a large (huge, really) banner outside on a busy highway announcing our upcoming Christmas Eve services.  Included on the advertisement was the enticing but unfortunately misspelled byline: Special Children’s Massage.  Imagine my horror when I drove past the church shortly after it was posted and realized our mistake.  That can happen in one-way communication, especially when one fails to proofread!

Unlike one-way communication, two-way communication actually involves listening as well as voicing our ideas and values. And not just listening with our auditory sensors to another’s words.  It’s reading a person’s body language, listening for voice inflection, observing facial expressions, watching for heightened emotion or passion.  This is why so many current forms of communication fall short of really connecting with another person and their points of view.  Think of just a few: 

• a text message
• a voice mail message
• a posted announcement on Facebook, twitter, or on a public bulletin board,
• an email blast,
• a zealous “prophet” booming TURN OR BURN” into his bullhorn on a crowded street or from a moving vehicle),
• a letter to the editor of a local newspaper

I find it almost sad that people can often boast of hundreds of friends on Facebook or twitter and yet lack even one true friend of the heart.  Maybe it’s because we have come to rely too heavily on technology to feel connected, and have lost some of the basic elements required for true communication. 

I try to imagine how much Jesus would rely on technology today if we were physically among us.  I think he was really big on connection.  Lots of listening, touching, eye contact, making time for others.  I’m not sure his personal brand of ministry would have allowed for substituting non-stop tweeting or texting for genuine one-on-one conversation.  Not to say it never happens in these newer forms.  Just proposing that we not neglect the precious gift of “in-person” human interaction in favor of merely growing a network of contacts.

Who in your life today needs you to be literally present with them, listening to them and caring about them just as they are?  You can ‘like’ them on facebook, or love them in person. Your choice.

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