Job 13:17-22 “’Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears. Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die. Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you: Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.’”
When communicating his response to trials that had come his way, Job had a couple of weeks to prepare his comments. When he spoke this prayer, it was a concise, carefully worded statement with a declaration and an action line.
Principle: In communication excellence, think through what you will say. Make it concise, colorful, and brief and be sure you have the attention of the person receiving the communication.
Abraham Lincoln, “the Great Emancipator,” also understood the value of brevity. In one of the most moving speeches in history, the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln used fewer than 300 words.
He also gave us examples of how to maximize electronic messages. Lincoln used the telegraph to help win the Civil War. This was newly developed technology when Lincoln became president. Like e-mail, it worked best as a headline or banner. Lincoln kept his telegraphed messages brief and on point. For instance, in a note of encouragement to General Grant, Lincoln wrote the message — “Hold on with a bull-dog grip, and chew and choke.” The general understood the vivid imagery, and he did just this in battle, which Lincoln was referring to. Be brief, avoid extraneous detail. Be frank. No general could have mistaken that note as a mere suggestion. It was a nicely phrased order.
The lessons for us in e-mails and all correspondence are to select words carefully. Have somebody read and proof the important messages rather than just “dashing off a note.” Apply these same principles to business communication, and to prayers.
Job got right to the point with his prayer communication. God took him at his word. The term “fright” does not appear in the rest of the book. No more difficulties arose, and Job ended up having his face-to-face dialog with God, just as he requested.
Public prayers should be brief and thoughtful. Private prayers can be long and rambling. God has time and an ear for both.
Discussion:
1. Have you ever written out your part of a conversation before having it? How might this approach improve your communication?
2. Do you tend to communicate with too few words, or too many?
3. How would clearer, concise communication improve your work environment?
