Communication is an act that
is very important in our daily lives, what can we do without it? It is a means
of conveying and exchanging information through a medium such as speaking,
writing and listening etc. The process of communicating goes through stages
which includes; initiating a medium of communication, packaged with a well
encapsulated message with the intent to convey the information to achieve a
particular purpose and the expected reception and proper interpretation of such
message.
Things don't always go smoothly through any
means of communication, a breakdown of events often occur sometimes when a
message is not well transmitted by the conveyor or properly decoded by the
recipient. Depending on the message being conveyed, we all just have the
tendency to understand and see things differently and sometimes just not
mentally prepared to be a fertile ground for good information.
Environmental and social influence from factors
such as educational background and exposure, personal associations, personal
desire for change are just some indices that affects a person’s mental orientation at any given time or
place. There is little no wonder, when a group of persons would be imparted
with the right and relevant information at a given time, but they all respond
differently; some fly, some crawl while others don't just move at all.
The Bible is rich in wisdom, at times certain
verses can be interpreted differently. The parable of the sower is quite
applicable to the issue of communication.
Let’s take a look at the book of
Matthew 13: 1-9.
13:1: The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by
the sea side.
13:2: And great multitudes were gathered together unto
him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the
shore.
13:3: And he spake many things unto them in parables,
saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
13:4: And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side,
and the fowls came and devoured them up:
13:5: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much
earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
13:6: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and
because they had no root, they withered away.
13:7: And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung
up, and choked them:
13:8: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
13:9: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[King James Version]
The
mind is a terrible thing to waste; the one by the way side has gone astray,
lost its way, swallowed in its folly, still thinking it is wise in its own
right and may soon be devoured by wanton foolishness and ignorance, if it doesn’t
retrace its steps.
The
stony mind, so stubborn, shallow and lacks depth in wisdom and understanding
cannot be easily reasoned with on things that matter. Sudden destruction could
be waiting round the corner; this is a dangerous state to be in.
The
one surrounded by thorns, may know what's right from wrong but the presence of
indelible factors that influence bad choices will prevent any tangible
progress, choking and killing what's true and good.
The
one on good ground has overcome all negative influencing factors to be in its
present state. Every good seed that falls on it would yield much fruit and
prosper.
Philippians
4:8
4:8: Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things.
[King James Version]
It
is quite imperative to note that conveyors of messages need to create a back
channel where they can receive feedback through whatever medium of
communication that they have used to disseminate information so as to know if
they are really making any positive impact or passing on the intended message
across, it is a two-way route.
************************
Conversation
Hello
dear. Please can we talk my dear friend? I have been meaning to discuss something
of utmost important with you. I have to get a lot of things off my mind and I
hope that we could reach a stalemate. I want this conversation to be free
flowing and not one sided, because when I talk to you, I need you to listen and
try to understand me, also when you talk, I will pay attention to what you say.
It
will do us no good, if you choose to make assumption than get a good picture of
the true meaning of my words. So my compadre are you ready for our long chat?
Yes,
my dear friend, shoot, I am all ears. I guess it’s going to be a long evening for the both of us
because I have a few things to get off my chest and now is the time, seeing that wearer both ready to have an open
conversation on a level playing field.
