A Brief Devotional on Christian Diplomacy
ARC Guide Level 2
Ideal for those already acquainted with our thought process at Ammi Ruhama Community
It can be tempting when not wanting to speak nonsense to our neighbours to swing the other direction and rock away on our front porch and say nothing–to disconnect from the conversation all together. It is true that there are some conversations that are best to hold for another time; perhaps when both participants have matured a bit more. Remember, however, that the point of life is to communicate, so giving the cold shoulder because of a known disagreement, even in the case of what seems to be a vitally important conversation is puerile, in direct conflict with our life’s purpose, and ultimately putting too much down on one horse. Our go to ‘wisdom,’ generally comes from Thumper the Hare’s curiously absent father,
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
Mr. Hare
I would amend his statement to say, “if you can’t say something nice, say something altogether different,” keep the conversation congenial and don’t let your pride get in the way of your mutual life’s purpose of repairing the primary interface enough to communicate the best news ever. If you have to share an uncomfortable truth about what you believe that you’re pretty sure is going to be in diametric opposition to your conversation partner, take a long time to give the truth its proper context laying the foundational work of relationship first. Remember that it isn’t our job to convince anyone of anything, but to communicate plenty. We may not have all of the answers and, indeed, may be wrong on a few of the finer points, as we often are when speaking out of our blessed assurance, but remember that the point isn’t to be right and the absolute authority on all occasions. The point is to communicate the love and mercy of Christ.
These instructions will be nonsense to those united in enmity; who think that all things are fair in love and war and that the only people who are with you are those who have allied against the same enemies. The life purpose of communication does not tolerate enmity as the source of unity. All enmity with the world and with God must be done away with and the source of unity be the love and mercy of Christ.
Ammi Ruhama Community 