In reviewing for a Sunday school lesson at church, I chatted with God a bit about the creation narrative.
Wow. Your words literally created life.
Yes. And they still do, every day.
What power your words must have. And I’m created in your image—so my words have power as well. Right?
Yes.
What do you want me to do with that power?
Speak life where others have spoken death, beloved.
Wow that was specific. But God knows I’ve never been naturally pastoral. So this is a gracious lesson that God has invited me to learn.
And so I’ve begun to look for the places in people that have been torn down by others. I look for opportunities to invite God to create life there. Because my words carry power. And as long as I’m following God’s leading, I know he’ll use them to bring life.
I’m not great at it yet. Maybe I never will be. I fumble the words, and I worry that I don’t sound genuine with my encouragements. But I have clarity about my heart posture as I interact with those I’m trying to minister to. Especially little ones. My job is not just teaching them God’s word. Its helping them see God in their world. And when they’ve been hurt by words at school, or at home, I have the ability to tell them what God says about them.
Power.
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