You Have the Right to Remain Silent...

I recently read where celebrated scientist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein was invited to a dinner party given in his honor by the president of Swarthmore College. When he was asked to give a speech, he stood and greeted the people and then said this: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry but I have nothing to say. In case I do have something to say, I'll come back." After six months Einstein contacted the president of the college and informed him that he now had something to say so another dinner was arranged and he gave a speech.

I was asked to speak at a conference recently and, when it got down to it, I had nothing to say so I quietly backed out and someone else filled my spot. I had never done that before....I really do take my speaking opportunities quite seriously. I once spoke to three hundred people with no notes, but I had something to say, something burning in my heart. This time it was different. And I could see no reason to waste the time of so many people when I had nothing to say.

I have often wondered what life would be like if people (and specifically me) only spoke when they had something to say. Ministers of the Gospel would do well to check with God and make sure there is something to say before speaking on His behalf . All of us would do well to slow down and think before opening our mouths. There is an old saying: "If you cannot improve the silence, do not speak."