Collisions don’t just happen on the highways. People collisions happen when opposing personalities sit next to each other on a Sunday morning or in a small group. There are people who are brassy, noisy and loud. They are even more shocking to shyer people if they are prone to profanity. The more private person keeps their comments to themselves, speaks little, and when they do talk they make safe comments.
Jesus had clashes of personality, political, and socio-economic collisions just among the twelve disciples. James and John, the two fishermen were given the nickname, “Sons of Thunder”. Most feel this reflected their rough, loud personalities and we imagine them yelling, perhaps even cursing on the Sea of Galilee before meeting Jesus.
A few have considered that Jesus often identifies us by what we are going to become. Peter was rash and lacked stability, yet Jesus calls him, “Rock”. It is possible that the fisherman were quiet and lacked boldness. That may be why their mother went to Jesus in behalf of her shy sons and requested special seating for them in heaven. Jesus dubs them “Sons of Thunder” indicating they will become bold preachers of the good news about Jesus.
You may be more uncomfortable around brassy, noisy people. You should not be. Those that are more vocal wear their emotions on their sleeves and it is fairly easy to know if their day is going well or not. It is the quiet folks that should make us nervous. They could be having a great day or they could be almost crushed by the weight of challenges in their lives and no one is aware. They quietly go about their lives in a slow, emotionless death.
The loud person has their temper tantrum out in the open. It is embarrassing to see, but it is short and then it is done. The quiet person stuffs anger and is heating up just below the surface. When their kettle finally boils over we hear the stunned response from family and friends that they never imagined this person could behave so violently.
Beware the quiet ones.
I am not advocating we become obnoxiously noisy and have tantrums. There are healthy ways of expressing joy, delight as well as frustration and anger. The apostle Paul gives us counsel on living in harmony instead of collisions.
Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
What nickname do you think Jesus would give you?
Comment here:
Jesus had clashes of personality, political, and socio-economic collisions just among the twelve disciples. James and John, the two fishermen were given the nickname, “Sons of Thunder”. Most feel this reflected their rough, loud personalities and we imagine them yelling, perhaps even cursing on the Sea of Galilee before meeting Jesus.
A few have considered that Jesus often identifies us by what we are going to become. Peter was rash and lacked stability, yet Jesus calls him, “Rock”. It is possible that the fisherman were quiet and lacked boldness. That may be why their mother went to Jesus in behalf of her shy sons and requested special seating for them in heaven. Jesus dubs them “Sons of Thunder” indicating they will become bold preachers of the good news about Jesus.
You may be more uncomfortable around brassy, noisy people. You should not be. Those that are more vocal wear their emotions on their sleeves and it is fairly easy to know if their day is going well or not. It is the quiet folks that should make us nervous. They could be having a great day or they could be almost crushed by the weight of challenges in their lives and no one is aware. They quietly go about their lives in a slow, emotionless death.
The loud person has their temper tantrum out in the open. It is embarrassing to see, but it is short and then it is done. The quiet person stuffs anger and is heating up just below the surface. When their kettle finally boils over we hear the stunned response from family and friends that they never imagined this person could behave so violently.
Beware the quiet ones.
I am not advocating we become obnoxiously noisy and have tantrums. There are healthy ways of expressing joy, delight as well as frustration and anger. The apostle Paul gives us counsel on living in harmony instead of collisions.
Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
What nickname do you think Jesus would give you?
Comment here:
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