theHword.com

This past Sunday, my little sister was officially confirmed into the First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. While the importance of someone’s admission of faith to the church is hard to beat, the sermon by our Senior Pastor, Joel Remmers, will be what I remember most. It was a sermon with the underlying message that is often considered cliché and simple: “Talk is cheap”.

His message to the 23 confirmands was something to the affect that these young teenagers can recite all the statements of faith they want, but “your actions speak so loudly I can hardly hear what you’re saying.”

But I think of kids playing in sports — The kids professing they will work harder than imaginable so that they will never be second best again after a loss ends their season. Talk is cheap.

I think of all the business ads claiming that their product is better and cheaper than their closest competitors. How about a food commercial? That burger is so big and juicy, it totally looks worth being in a grimy fast food restaurant. Talk is cheap.

I think of high school girls. Sally: “We should totally hang out sometime!!!!” Sue: “Fo’ Sho’!!!” The next day Sally is telling all her girl friends that Sue’s outfit it whack. Talk is cheap.

I think of New Year’s resolutions. Middle aged women men promising they are going to eat healthier and lose weight, your beloved uncle claiming he will quit smoking, or you and a friend promising to never fight again highlight this one. No, talk isn’t on sale; it’s always been that cheap.

I think of myself. I’m always telling myself I will write this week’s blog before it’s extremely late or I tell myself I won’t procrastinate to study for the Chemistry test over intramolecular and intermolecular forces (there is a difference). Hey Jake, your talk is pretty cheap, too.

There’s a Lil’ Wayne song that goes, “I went to the grocery store, and talk is still cheap.” Think of it this way: whether you want to admit it or not, your promised word is found in the front aisles of a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Why the front aisles? Because our “talk” is so cheap, poorly valued, and mistrusted that Wal-Mart wants that product off the shelves pronto. It needs to be the first thing shoppers see, increasing the chances of it being bought. The bottom line is that either way our promised word is in Wal-Mart, because sometimes holding up to a promise just can’t happen. But, what can be controlled is whether our “talk” is priced at nearly free in the front aisles or fair priced next to the iPads and respected electronics in the back.

 

About the author: Jake Fowler

Jake Fowler is a junior at Adams Central High School. He participates in Football, Basketball, and Track & Field. He also plays legion baseball for Hastings. Jake enjoys watching Husker Football and eating pizza.