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| Along the Way 2-25-11 |
 Bonnie and I recently saw The King’s Speech, a dramatic movie now atop my list of all-time favorites. The story of a British monarch struggling to come to terms with himself and his destiny operated on many layers, exploring the theme of duty to self, family and nation while also depicting one man’s painful struggle to achieve greater wholeness and to trust a guide to help him in this quest. But the reason this movie impacted me so strongly is because it portrayed the power of the spoken word. Playing on the universal fear of public speaking, a task even more intimidating when fronted by a microphone, the opening scene of The King’s Speech zeroes in on an ominous 1925-vintage microphone. Soon a nervous, stammering Prince Albert haltingly approaches that dreaded instrument to give a tortured public address; the rest of the movie follows the eventual king-to-be and his unconventional speech therapist as they slowly overcome a crippling impediment so the king can lead his nation into World War II. The familiar theme of coach and student has never been portrayed more movingly, and at the movie’s stirring conclusion subjects of the far-flung British Empire hang on every word of their sovereign’s radio broadcast. The right word carefully chosen and clearly spoken at an appropriate moment with the proper cadence and posture can forever influence people and events. Consider these dramatic words of confrontation spoken by Moses to Pharaoh: “Let my people go.” Remember the condemning words of the prophet Nathan hurled at King David: “You are the man.” Savor the power of words to save a woman’s life, spoken by Jesus to a small group of self-righteous men, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Recall the words of Joshua, spoken to the entire nation of Israel as they prepared to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land: “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” As Proverbs 25:11 has it, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Although meaningful worship incorporates many elements, the utmost importance of the sermon or homily cannot be overemphasized. The people of God, formed by the creative Word, gather to hear, to listen, and to seek a word from God. Yes, minds may wander and worshipers may fidget, and yes, sermons can miss the mark even when spoken with the King’s English, but there remains a hunger and a hope that the imperfect one standing in pulpit might have and can convey the words of life. That’s why the pastor of a local church is known as a “servant of the Word.” Creede Hinshaw |
