Noisemakers

Principles written on paper aren’t worth much.

Unless, of course, they’re backed up with action. High-sounding honor codes mean nothing if they’re not reflected in tough choices.

It’s the behavior that’s matters.

I’ve told you before that in later years my classroom operated on a single principle: Everyone (including the teacher) gets treated with dignity and respect. Most kids got it, and it worked pretty smoothly…except in times of stress. Of course, it’s times of stress for which one needs principles.

“But I don’t like her!” a student might say.

“I never said you had to like anyone,” I’d say. “Nobody likes everyone. I just said we all need to treat one another with dignity and respect. Because that’s how we work together and learn together.”

It’s hard, but that’s why it’s important. Explaining, working through how it worked, took time. But without that effort and investment, my “principle” was just fancy-sounding words on a sign.

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Most folks know 1 Corinthians 13 as the “love chapter” often read at weddings. But in the first 3 verses, Paul describes the necessary connection between principles and actions.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

We can do the bible studies and memorize the verses. We can volunteer in ministry. We can “share the gospel.” We can tithe. We can do all the things that make one a good USAmerican Christian. But without love, Paul says, it’s meaningless noise.

So if we insist on being right, on winning the social-media argument, on making sure our rights are protected, on having a 6-month supply of toilet paper, we’re not following Jesus. We’re making noise. Unless we’re willing to take on the role of a servant, we’re just banging on the pots and pans.

I’d rather be something more than a noisemaker.