FMF: Same

12:22

‘S a m e!’

This is what my boys and the youngsters around them are often saying. It was the teenager speak, but it has continued.

(It is said in a long, drawn-out assent.)

‘I fancy some chips!’ (Response:) ‘S a m e!’

‘That’s a horrible smell!’ (Response:) ‘S a m e!’

So it means, ‘I agree’, or ‘Me too!’, or ‘So do I!’

Like the French might use ‘D’accord!’

It is an important part of communication, I think – when we have expressed something, we want to know we have been heard.

We want a response. If I say something and you don’t respond, I think you have not heard me, or worse – like you are deliberately ignoring me.

I suppose it is the same when we post photos or blogs and we hope that someone will ‘like’ what we have publicised and will make a positive comment.

We don’t want to be ignored; we want a response – have you heard me? Do you agree? What do you think? Am I right? Am I acceptable? Do I belong? We want reassurance!

I hear it in churches quite a lot too. Some preachers and speakers use ‘Amen’ in this way.

I understand ‘Amen’ to mean ‘I agree,’ or ‘So be it’, or ‘Let it be so.’

Saying ‘Amen’ is traditionally used as one’s agreement with a prayer being offered.

But I also hear it being used as a more general ‘Do you agree with me?’ by the preacher. Responded by ‘Yes, You are right/ Yes, I agree.’ from the people.

e.g.: ‘God is good, Amen?’ (Response:) ‘Amen!’

e.g.: ‘We have our coffee morning next Wednesday. Amen?’ (Response:) ‘Amen!’

So if you tell me you like ice-cream, I’ll say ‘S a m e!’ But if you pray for unity, or for God’s Kingdom to come, I’ll say ‘Amen!’

I think this is just me being typically pedantic and traditional. I am slow to adjust to change.

I’m sorry!

General agreement on details is comfortable, but it not so important.

Some details, opinions and preferences are not ‘hills to die on’!

We like to be heard. We want to be in agreement. We want unity.

Unity is important. Unity is crucial.

Jesus prayed for us to be in unity. The whole of John 17 is a most beautiful prayer showing God’s heart for unity.

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

That they may be one, as we are one. Amen, Amen and Amen.

‘S a m e!’