Words Matter: Speaking the Truth in Love - January 18
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Isa. 44:6-8,21-23; Eph. 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a
Back in my youth ministry days, we used to watch these videos by Rob Bell who at the time was a pretty popular Christian author. I think he has a podcast these days and for a while had a show on Oprah’s television channel. The videos were kind of like sermons with beautiful cinematography and music playing in the background. In one of his videos, he was sitting in a diner with a cup of coffee sharing a reflection on flowers.
In the story, Bell asks us to consider how meaningful it would be to come home one day to our loved ones with a gift of beautiful flowers. Imagine saying to someone special, “Here, these flowers are for you. I was thinking of you today.” I think most of us would recognize this as a beautiful and touching moment that would probably make just about anyone feel special.
Now imagine if that same person, then followed up with the following statement. “Well, I was walking by a place that sold flowers, and some yelled out and said you should buy flowers, and it really wasn’t a big deal. I mean it didn’t take any effort on my part, and it’s just not that big of a deal. I mean, I didn’t have to do any big thing.” The gift of flowers wouldn’t be so special now, would they? The gift would be lost.
It’s interesting how just a few words can change the meaning of a simple action. Our words matter. A truth that can be hopeful for one person can also be painful for that same person just by the way we share that truth. Paul writes to the community in Ephesus that part of growing up is learning how to speak the truth. Paul casts a vision of the body of Christ as people who are no longer children, but they understand God’s love and hope for the world. But he cautions the community when he says, “but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head.” If it’s the truth, why does it matter how we share it? Because words matter.
It’s hard to figure out what exactly is true these days. Most of us think we know what is true and what is not and today it feels like we will defend that truth at the cost of our friendships and family. I wonder if there is some work for all of us in how we grow in learning to speak our truths in love. At the very least, it might help us to be heard by those who might disagree with us, and at start, that sounds like a very good thing. So, speak in love. Why? Because words matter. And Paul tells us so!
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Have you ever shared something necessary that brought pain to someone? How did you move forward? Looking back, would you have changed the way you offered advice or truth?
Daily Challenge: Think of one thing you have been meaning to share with someone but haven’t figured out how to share. Write down three different ways of sharing that news and consider how love can impact how you share it.