WORDS FOR THE HEART

Thursday: 15th November, 2018

Reference text: Philemon 7-10

Philemon 8,9a Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love

Some will say at present, Brexit hangs by a very thin thread following a string of resignations after the first draft for Brexit was presented to Cabinet by the UK prime minister. While she is in a position of power, she is no position to issue orders for others to follow her lead; she just can’t force it, but only appeal to them. Nonetheless, some superiors are able to get their subordinates to follow every step and command because they have been successful in reaching their hearts.

Saint Paul was in a position of Spiritual authority to issue orders to Philemon for the right thing to be done regarding a servant, but he altered his approach. Instead, he made a personal appeal which moved me to question the reason for such an alternative approach. If there is one thing people dislike, it is the feeling of being bossed around: being told where to step, how to step, what to do, what not to do and so forth.

At some point in time, this becomes overwhelming and they recoil, only to rebel later. In such instances, the kind of leader to get them going is one who is able to appeal to their consciences and touch them from a deep place.
Sweetheart, there are some arguments which need to be made not only at head-level, but at heart-level.

Like Peter on the day of Pentecost, there are words meant to change something deep within us and not just to stimulate us intellectually: ‘words that pierce the heart’. So don’t just go around barking orders, because often, very little is achieved that way and you are more likely to also lose relationships.

Remember # orders will not always work, so try a softer approach sometimes – appeal to the heart.

#sly