One of my favorite verses is Paslm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
After I graduated from High School and through my college years, I thought I was SO intelligent, witty and wise. I was always ready to give an opinion, answer just about any kind of question and argue points of controversy. I had entered this brave new world and would readily talk about anything. I thought I was smarter than my parents, youth pastor and teachers.
As I reflect upon those times, I realize I was mostly passionate and talkative about subjects which stirred me emotionally. I was immature, unwise and actually, quite unintelligent about most subjects.
Although I had been taught a strong Biblical foundation for my faith in Jesus, I didn't "own" any of my beliefs. I didn't know why I believed what I believed. And, I had even spent four years at a Christian College! I'd faithfully participated in a daily devotional time with God and boasted a strong prayer life.
Then, life happened: marriage, a baby, divorce; then single parenting and night school to finish my undergrad degree. What was once a "vibrant" relationship with God had become a hoarse whisper drowned out by my loud sin of pride, rebellion and an "it's MY life" mentality.
A few months before I met Frank, I can see how God worked in my life to get me alone, lonely and searching for "that thing" to fill the void in my successful life. Suddenly, I no longer had a quick answer, passionate opinion or witty response to anyone. I think it was my 32nd birthday before I realized how much I truly didn't know and how badly I needed a right relationship with God.
Over a three-year period, during this time, I was in counseling with a Godly Christian counselor. She said words to me that brought healing, help and renewed my desire to really know God. I struggled greatly with the my sinful choices, God's forgiveness and ever being used by Him again for any good thing. With tears in her eyes, she said to me, "Mary, I don't understand divorce. I don't understand how God can use some divorced Christians and not others. But I do know God is not in a box and is bigger than you, me or any sin we think is too big for Him to handle." For a few more months, she'd go on to help me see my sin of pride and how it was holding me back from trusting God's desire to use me for His purpose and His glory and His plans. Her words brought about healing in my life. I began to understand my life isn't my own, it belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. It isn't about me anymore, it is about Him.
All this to say, what helpful words can you say today to encourage another brother or sister in Christ? And, if you, dear reader are the one thinking you know it all, I would encourage you to seek to know God more than any wisdom, knowledge or experience you have right now.
| Telling Time: To Speak or Not Posted: 02 Jan 2010 11:50 AM PST "There is a time for everything . . . a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7) Do you know what time it is? Do you know what season you're in right now? If not, it's hard to know how to live wisely. That's what we're thinking about this New Year's Week as we read through the poem in Ecclesiastes 3. Most of us have spent more time than usual this last few weeks hanging out with our extended families. How did you do with knowing when it was time to be silent and time to speak? I think that's one of the hardest times to tell. It requires both the wisdom to know and the courage to act (or not). Here is one guideline for making that choice: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) If the words you have to say will not benefit or build up those who hear you, recognize the moment as one to be silent. But if you have words that will help or encourage, don't waste your speaking season. It would be unkind not to say something. Think: How much do you think about whether you should speak or not before you talk? How much do you think about whether you should have spoken after you talk? If you think about it, how do decide when to speak and what to say? Pray: Ask God to give you the wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Do: If you're looking for verses to memorize this new year, Ephesians 4:29 is a great one to start with.  |
