This week I have taken some time to reflect on the nature of words. Words in general are pretty harmless. Strung together with emphasis and tone, they can take on an entire life of their own.  In scripture there are two verses that come to mind when speaking of our words, and during a recent sermon I discovered to love my words more, while minding them in a whole new way.

Proverbs 25:11 says- “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

I love this scripture. The word aptly means “suited to the purpose or occasion; appropriate.”

Sometimes when our words suit the occasion or purpose we have for them, they can be interpreted in another way by the ones reading them. This happens a lot on social media, in letters, print media and when someone is quoted without context. Context is the next biggest factor in understanding a meaning in something that is written rather than spoken. Somehow as humans, we have a hard time taking anything we read at face value. When I write personal experiences I have had, I am often questioned about their meaning, validity or circumstance.  This is also true when we read what Jesus had to say in the scriptures.

I have always had a personal attraction to the red letter version of the Bible. In a book store, I find myself frequently picking one of those editions up, and running my fingers over the red letters as if I was absorbing them into my soul. I like to believe when I read them; Jesus is standing before me, reading them out loud.  I get goosebumps when I picture hearing his voice say anything to me at all. It is very humbling knowing my savior has specifically said these things directly to me and countless other believers.

So why is it so easy to read so much into them? And how on earth do we manage to leave things out? And why don’t we ask questions if we need more information?

If there is one thing that frustrates me, it is having my words misunderstood.  It is something I cannot seem to overcome, especially in the physical community in which I live. I would love to be able to provide the entire back drop with all of the context and every detail in each thing I post. However, if I did that, it would be a book every single time, and we do not have time to read one every day. (and I do not have time to write one every single day)  So instead, I try to give the “bullet points” and get to the main event. This is where I feel like I get into trouble. I try to make something painless and easy to understand and read. Then my reader somehow has an entirely different perspective on what I say.

Why can’t we just read things, take them at face value, and be thankful for someone who isn’t afraid to tell their story? I am not afraid to tell my story, even though there are people who won’t ask me for the whole thing, let alone a brief explanation. They take the bits and pieces, assume I am up to no good or fabricating it, and share that thought with others.

What is it that makes us so afraid to hear the truth of someone else’s personal experiences with God, people and themselves? 

Jesus was not afraid to tell his story- and there were plenty of people who were afraid of it.  He healed people. He made lame men walk. He gave the blind vision.  He gave us the opportunity for eternity with him. And although I do not think I will die today for my words like he did, I do feel like a little of me dies each time my story is discounted because it makes someone else uncomfortable.

So, I continue writing, and telling my story, my personal experiences and my thoughts. I continue representing those who may not be strong enough to share theirs. At some point, it will be beneficial to someone, either here, or there.

 

The second scripture is Ephesians 4:29 , and I will share my feelings on it later on this week in part two.