It Takes One

It takes two people to communicate. Without a two-way channel, one lone person is just talking to himself. Any effective communication requires two people, transversely the same is true for non-productive communication. I suppose you can label an argument as a form of communication, ineffective and non-beneficial most certainly, yet arguing is in essence a form of communication. For all the things in life that it takes two people to successfully accomplish, unfortunately, arguing also fits in that category. 

You most likely have heard the old saying, "It takes two to Tango", referencing the ballroom dance form of the late 1800's and early 1900's. I'm not very well versed in ballroom dancing, but based on my experiences most styles of ballroom dancing do require two people working in a synchronized manner. I suppose you could say the same thing for two people who are cast into an argument, two people are engaged in a back and forth synchronized manner, often shifting from a conversation to often a case of heightened screaming and ultimately the potential for more intense interaction between the two folks. What I want you to do right now is imagine a scene in your mind where two folks are caught up in a verbal argument. Hopefully that wasn't too easy for you to visualize. Now in your mind I want you to remove one person from the scene you have created in your mind. When I went through this mental practice in my mind, what was left was a person babbling to himself, looking pretty silly to be completely honest. It takes two to have an argument, squabble, or even a yelling match. The Apostle Paul offers us some Biblical guidance on arguing, or better yet, not arguing. 

"Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth." II Timothy 2:23-25.

In other words, it only takes one to not argue. Paul admonishes his young protege Timothy to not engage in pointless arguments where people are fussing for the sake of fussing. Instead, Paul points out that by being a servant of God we "must not" quarrel and instead be patient and model empathy for the other person's point of view. The goal is to be an example of God's love and through that demonstration others  see God living in you and through you. 

A thought to consider, if we, as the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior are to serve as His ambassador to a lost world, how will we ever appear different from this world if we are partaking in fussing and fighting just like the world? It takes two to argue, it only takes one to be God's example of love in the midst of the trials and adversity that we encounter. The choice is yours, choose love and peace. 

Coach Carter