This was a quote from Gail Carriger in the book Timeless.
It’s amazing how quick rumors and gossip can start.
A little while ago there was a car accident involving some
students.
The students were at a traffic light when they were bumped
from behind from a car.
That car was bumped by a truck that didn’t stop in time.
They weren’t seriously hurt in any way but still went to the
hospital to get checked out.
They ended up fine.
I checked with one student, they told me they were doing
good, but the stories they heard about themselves were crazy.
One person came up to him and told him, “I can’t believe you
are in school today when just the other day you had to be life-lined to Indy?”
He just laughed.
A little bump in the car and soon the story was airlifted to
Indy.
It’s crazy how stories can be blown out of proportion.
I think as long as humans are involved gossip happens.
Even in the Bible.
Paul was returning from his missionary trip in which he told
thousands about Jesus and started many churches, the apostles were hearing other
stories too.
Other stories included him to turn away from the teachings
of the Old Testament, telling people not to circumcise their children (This is
a huge issue if you were raised Jewish), and to not follow traditions.
While they did trust Paul, they wanted him to do some
traditions in order so the people understood.
Acts 21:24-25…
“Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay
their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in
these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the
law.”
Paul did this and squashed gossip.
Sometimes in order to take out gossip you have to do
different things.
We are people that like to gossip, almost like it gives
purpose.
Even the greatest missionary the church has had, dealt with
this.
Nobody is immune to gossip.
How do you respond to it?
When you take a minute and look on the inside, are you one
of the people that starts gossip?
Do you keep gossip going or do you stop it from happening?
Gossip goes around, but only if we keep it going.
Paul had to do some things he really didn’t have to do, but
did to stop gossip from continuing.
What can you do to stop gossip?
If there was less gossip, would things improve?
How would the world change with less gossip?
Do you think it would improve or get worse?
What can you do to make this world a better place?
Getting rid of gossip could be one thing to help the world.
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events,
weak minds discuss people.” Socrates
What do you want to be remembered as?
Have a great day!
