Can You Picture Jesus as White House Press Secretary?
This is a communication lesson, not a political diatribe, although I’ll confess to a little bias.
From all accounts, Sarah Huckabee Sanders grew up a good Baptist girl, went to Sunday School, Youth Group and Bible Camp, then off to a Baptist college where she was elected student president. One would think that if anyone should exude “the joy of the Lord”, it would be Sarah. Yet her face must be one of the most profoundly sad in the public domain. Her eyes are windows into a hurting soul.
I’d ask you to try this little thought experiment: whether you’re a Presbyterian, a Jew, a Muslim, or an atheist (or anything else), just bring into your mind your best image of Jesus. The one who said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers…” That one.
Then I want you to imagine Jesus taking the podium at the White House and saying the things that Sarah says in defense of the indefensible.
It doesn’t work, does it?
That’s because one of the central truths of effective communication is that you must absolutely speak from authenticity. You have to be right with your own soul. In the final result, your message and your soul must align– if they are out of sync, one or the other will ultimately change. So long as they are not in harmony, not only will you be miserable, but your communication will always ring hollow.
Is it any wonder that Sarah’s face is the picture of unhappiness?