Popping the Bubble

The Greek philosopher Aristotle recognized it over 2,300 years ago. There is no communication unless the audience receives and comprehends your message. In fact, Aristotle believed that communication didn’t really happen if it did not bring about some impact on the audience. He is quoted as saying:

“All communication must lead to change.”

Pretty strong statement. It doesn’t matter how loudly you say it, or how clever your words, if the audience doesn’t understand the message and doesn’t act on it, real communication hasn’t happened.

We sometimes sit in our studios on the television set, or at our computers, putting together good thoughts. But do we know if our viewers and listeners are hearing and understanding that message?

Years ago, I was on Rote Island in Indonesia. I was there for the dedication of a new Christian radio station. It was not only the first Christian station on the island, but the first radio station EVER on that island of some 100,000 people. It was exciting to see the young couples who worked so hard to establish that station tell of how God was fulfilling a dream of theirs. Mayors and government officials were there for the dedication. It was a powerful evening.

Just imagine, though, if these same leaders had ignored one critical thing. Radios. Most people did not have a radio. They hadn’t needed one. No radio, no receiving the radio signal. No signal, no message. No message, no communication.

However, these leaders did remember this important item. As the station was under construction, they encouraged churches in other parts of Indonesia to donate radios for the people on Rote. And now, with radios in homes all over this island, and with a new powerful station communicating God’s eternal truth, people were receiving the message. Communication was taking place.

How do I know its effectiveness? About a year later, the radio station, Sware Malole, began announcing about a listener meeting on a coming Friday and Saturday night. It was to be held at the little football (soccer) field near the port town of Ba’a. After a week or so of telling the people of the “listener meeting,” the nights came for the event.

Out of 100,000 people living on the island, 9,000 people showed up. At the listener meeting, they talked about the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ. And the speaker invited those in attendance to step forward to ask Jesus to be the Lord of their life.

Over 800 people committed their lives to Christ on those two nights. They acted upon what they had heard.

If Aristotle was right, that all communication must lead to change, then an amazing amount of communication went on, and eternal change came to hundreds of souls.

The radio station alone could not communicate effectively. There needed to be radios. And, of course, there needed to be listeners who heard, understood, and acted upon what they heard. Real communication.

[blockquote author=”Romans 10:14 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]

But how can they call on him to save them

unless they believe in him?

And how can they believe in him

if they have never heard about him?

And how can they hear about him

unless someone tells them?

[/blockquote]

Who is your audience? What are they receiving? Is it clear? And is there change in their lives as a result? Don’t just broadcast God’s Truth. Communicate His Truth.