The Silent Sermon

The Silent Sermon

With Christmas days away, this short story by an unknown author reminds us love is more powerful than judgment.    

A church member who previously attended services regularly stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone.  

Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire.  

Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with tears welling in his eyes, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for your silent sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

We live in a world today that tries to say too much. Or say it the wrong way. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones without words.

Merry Christmas. 

Kenni Driver

CMO at Marketing Uplift

1y

What a wonderful way to express a strong and memorable message without words. May we touch the lives of many in need of help!

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Iain Lindsay

Host, MC & Managing Director @ Leadership Workshops | Executive Coach | Developing People | Taking Action | Growing Business |

1y

A classic as always Greg Bustin

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Candace Lynn Talmadge

Author│Storyhealer│Paranormalist

1y

A powerful story about how interdependent we are. At our best, we support each other, nurture each other, and lift each other up. None of us is an island. Good to express this wisdom in our lives all year round, not just during the holiday season.

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Toby Bostwick

Focused on Building Trust and Creating Value in Building Products

1y

So moving and accurate. Thank you for the courage and wisdom to share when we all need that silent sermon. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Greg Bustin

Paul Johnson

Group Chairman, Coach & Mentor at Vistage International

1y

Gosh, so powerful Greg Bustin

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