Richard Littledale's
Views on the News: October 2010

Actions and Words

We often like to say that action speaks louder than words. However, in an image-rich and media-drenched culture the distinction may not be quite so simple. Earlier this week David Miliband ceded his place in the shadow cabinet to ensure that he did not distract his younger brother from his new role in leading the Labour Party. In doing so he said:

Staying in the shadow cabinet would be a route to real difficulty. Instead of focusing on winning in 2015 and beyond, the team would be subject to permanent scrutiny of body language - everything from sneezes to comments. Ed needs an open field to lead as he sees fit. It is the cleanest and clearest decision to take, though not the easiest.

The thing is, even these gracious words have been subject to all kinds of scrutiny, and endless column inches have been devoted to speculating on what they "really" mean. What might be seen as a noble gesture has been cast as everything from a petulant foot stomping to a cycnical ploy and all sorts in between!

When Paul urged his friends in Corinth to ensure that their "yes should be yes" and their "no be no", it was a simple call for absolute integrity. As followers of Jesus Christ word should follow deed so closely that daylight can scarcely be seen between the two.

Of course one of the areas in which Christian integrity is meant to excel is that of brotherly love. Like our Lord before us we are supposed to be glad-hearted servants of each other, giving way to one another as a matter of course. Hopefully our post-modern cynicism will not prevent us from seeing a good example of this in the world beyond the church.