From Soggy and Purposeless to Life-Giving
- Brooke Singleton
- Nov 18, 2024
- 2 min read
“It takes time in Jesus’ presence to have a heart changed so what pours out is life-giving.”
“And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.” Ephesians 4:29
Have you ever used a potter’s wheel? I have memories of one from a high school art class. I thought it was a ton of fun, but it definitely took practice and control to make something useful. One quarter we were tasked with making a cup as a gift. We started with a lump of clay, lots of water, some basic instructions, and then we turned the wheel on. What ensued was a weeks’ worth of mess, re-direction and trying again. I guess I could have decided not to care and just skipped the effort, handing the lump of clay as a gift. Soggy and purposeless, I would have left the recipient standing with a mess on their hands and wondering what they were supposed to do with it now.
Our words can be like that.
Without taking the time to appreciate the power and usefulness of our words, and without the desire to form them well, we often spit them out and hand them off: useless lumps for them to deal with in the aftermath. We leave a mess in our wake long after we’ve moved on. God has lots to say about the hurtful words of an unmanaged tongue, and He also has lots to say about the power and beauty of a life-giving one! But it takes intention to learn what God has to say about managing our words. It takes time in Jesus’ presence to have a heart changed so what pours out is life-giving.
From my own experience, I’ve found that in the moments and days that wear me thin, it’s easy to use all the intention I have to speak life to others, but then what’s left gets heaped on my kids. They get the proverbial short end of the stick, the last of my patience. So I’m challenged by this scripture today to remember, God's design for our words is for them to come from a heart soaked in His presence, and for them to be purposefully formed and crafted with intention and life.
Action Step:
Listen to Jeremy Camp’s “Word of Life”
Prayer: Father, thank You that all Your words are life-giving. Even Your correction is laced with grace and humility. Would You call our hearts to Your presence, renew us with Your word and make us like you, in spirit and in truth? Would You make our words sweet as honey and strength for the bones? May it all be for the glory of Your great name. It’s in that name we ask these things.
Written By Brooke, mom of 3