Words matter. Words matter to God (He created the Universe with them). It seems like everyday, I get a reminder of how important they should be to me as well.
If you know me, you know I am rarely at a loss for words, and more likely, I’m endeavoring to limit my words so I’m only using those that are necessary and helpful. My challenge to myself this week has been to stop and carefully consider the words I’m using - words in songs, words in conversations, and words flying off the keyboard of my computer or phone.
In our worship response time at the end of services last Sunday, we sang a portion of the Bethel Worship song “For the Sake of the World” … these words stuck with me:
"I'm laying down my life
I'm giving up control
I'm never looking back
I surrender all
I'm living for Your glory on the earth"
If you’re like me, just maybe you have experienced a church service or two (or 1000!) where you had the capacity to sing lyrics without really contemplating their meaning. This past Sunday, I was playing keys in the band, and this is exactly what happened to me. It took me until long after the service to stop and reflect on what I was singing. I was struck by the truly life-changing nature of these lyrics. What would this mean for my life if I lived these words 24/7? What would need to change in my schedule? My finances? My relationships?
As I considered the impact of these words coming IN to my life, I began to think about the resulting words coming OUT of my life.
In Luke 6:45, Jesus addresses this issue of in and out, saying “the good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure in his heart; and the evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil in his heart; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.” (NIV)
My words are a dead giveaway to what is really going on inside of me. If I’m angry, my words will reveal that. If I’m anxious and filled with jealousy, sooner or later, people around me will know it and feel it. Conversely, if I’m living with a heart that trusts God and seeks to serve Him and those around me, that “good treasure” in my heart will produce words of life that spill out and bring blessing to the people in my circle of influence.
Words in. Words out. My goal this week is to invite the Holy Spirit into my process of thoughtfulness about both.
Brent
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