No matter how different two people may be, if their communication skills are used effectively and regularly then they are able to work through most issues.

Genesis 31:1-55

Reference:  v.27  Why did you run off secretly and deceive me?  Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? (NIV Bible)

 

Explore:  I have been asked to officiate in a number of weddings.  As part of the process in the lead up to the wedding, I encourage the couple to go through some pre-marriage counselling.  This counselling is not to tell them whether they should or should not get married, but it is to bring up some issues or differences within the relationship to help the couple work through them before they say their vows.  There are lots of areas that we look into: finances, family history, intimacy, spirituality.  However, there is an important theme that runs through every single area, and that is communication.  No matter how different two people may be, if their communication skills are used effectively and regularly then they are able to work through most issues.  This is not only true for a marriage relationship but in all personal encounters.

Application:  It seems that Jacob and Laban were having a break down in communication.  Laban felt that Jacob was taking everything away from him whereas Jacob felt that Laban had not treated him fairly.  Once it hit a crisis point - such an extreme that it sounds like Laban could have killed Jacob - they were finally able to sit down and talk through 20 years of hurt and disagreements.  It is so sad when relationships break down due to lack of communication.  Laban was obedient enough to God to hold back his sword in order to listen to Jacob.  When we talk through issues with people we may never see eye-to-eye but often we can move towards a decent working relationship.

Prayer:  Lord, often we feel so justified in our hurt and rejection of someone.  May we draw on Your grace and extend a line of communication with the people we encounter today.  Amen.

Is there someone who you need to build some greater communication lines with?  What steps are you going to take in building greater communication with this person?

Linda Bailey is currently away.  I hope you enjoyed reading one of her favourite REAP articles from 2009 so far.