Good morning. Our NLCC adult Sunday School class is nearing the end of our study of John Piper’s book, Future Grace. The classes have featured a lot of interesting discussion, and our next class, which will be centered on the book, Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio, should also prove to be an interesting and enjoyable study.
Near the end of this past week’s discussion Piper mentioned the importance of words. We may not think that it is all that vital or important to tell some one “I love you”, or “thanks!” or “Good job!” but such words may have a great deal of power and unexpected effect.
For our thought today, I would like to draw attention to the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. They were dear to him, important for many reasons, and Paul didn’t hesitate to let them know how he felt. Paul knew the importance of words, and of not taking people for granted. He was compelled to tell them of his love for them and to share words of thanks and appreciation. This is, I believe, an excellent example for us.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:2-8
Is there someone, or are there people, to whom you need to speak a few well chosen words? No, I am not talking about indulging your anger and “telling someone off”. I am suggesting that many of the people around you may feel taken for granted, and it is time for you to set the record straight.
What will it cost you? Nothing. What will it provide to you in return? Possibly more than you can even imagine. But perhaps what it will bring to you isn’t the point. Perhaps the point is that it is the right thing to do. Perhaps the point is that a few kind words may change the direction of that other person’s day and ignite a process ending in great blessing. This is certain: when we make such words a normal part of our interaction with the people around us our relationships are changed in positive ways and all are blessed.
Vern