What did you say?

24th April 2023

Mumble, mumble, mumble…

I think I must have seen it many times whilst watching football on the television. The match between Newcastle and Spurs, 23rd April 23, which I watched as highlights on Sunday night gave a good example. It was the first time that I took notice of it. Players holding their hands in front of their mouth so that through a muffled hand they can speak freely to their teammates, manager, whomever.

Imagine if our lives were ruled buy this action. At any time whilst in a public space we held our hand in front to our mouth to hold a conversation. Can you imagine; paying for something whilst at the shops and the shop attendant is a bit deaf! Having repairs done to the car, new tyres – mumble, mumble, mumble – ‘sorry can you repeat that’.

‘Teacher, I can’t hear you, I said I can’t hear you…’

There are several places where this could be a real and serious problem: being at the barbers! ‘So how is sir tod… mumble, mumble…’ ‘The usua…. Mumble mumble…’

How about ordering a round of drinks with a bunch of mates: ‘My round: six pint… mumble, mumble… and mumble packet of cr… mumble, mumble.’ ‘Was that mumble, mumble… and six mumble, mumble…’

How many people currently lip read. Are footballers fearful of someone from the opposition overhearing what they are saying? Maybe it’s the scrutiny of television cameras. However, I cannot see how it makes any difference when your team is 6-1 down with nowhere to go.

Imagine if Jesus did a similar thing with his disciples, or with the crowds who regularly came to listen to him, how could he stand before his judges and be heard. When he needed to be Jesus was silent.

How would we have heard the great commission, ’Go into all the world and make disciples.’ How could the great words of the gospel message be recorded without it being heard and recorded; is it possible to share the gospel message from behind a covered hand. Let’s leave the hidden, spoken messages of the footballers and speak boldly, with passion and discernment so that all can hear the words that Jesus asked us to proclaim. No more mumbling!