When to Be Quiet

Have you ever been in a group meeting and almost every topic makes you want to comment or ask a question? It's annoying when someone does that, but recently I found myself being that someone!

There are a few things that I just can't keep quiet about like child welfare, certain political issues, cost of various items, etc. It seemed that all of those came up in church council recently. I asked questions, expressed concern and offered suggestions. I've never been quite so animated in a group setting! I can only hope that my fellow council members forgive my overindulgence.

But then, as I grow older and hopefully gain a little more wisdom, I find there are some other things that I can't keep quiet about: Injustice and unfairness (but I'm still working on that more), standing on principle, many political issues, bad business practices, inconsideration, intentional rudeness, stupidity (not to be confused with honest and unintentional ignorance), disrespect and my faith.

Growing up, I remember hearing that good manners meant you didn't express your opinions in an overt and disagreeing manner, especially on the subjects of politics and religion. Today, society forces and needs us to do that. In fact, the Bible has many scriptures that allude to doing so.

Jeremiah 22:3 (NRSV) states: "Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed."

Perhaps the best example to explain the expectation of us is Matthew 25: 43-45 - ^"43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ ⁴⁴ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 

Granted, I can't be called a paragon of mercy or champion of the oppressed, but I try to do what I can. It's all part of my faith because I truly believe we are here to care for one another. But to my fellow council members, please know that I will probably never be as vocal as I was at our last meeting. Let's just say, I want to take my own advice and be respectful without preaching to the choir!