WORDS
image courtesy of photobucket.com
We’ve all used a lot of words in our lives, probably listened to less… We hear, but we forget… Some words hang with us, but most die like a flower at the end of a season. I had a meeting with a guy last week, we shared a lot of words; I find I listen better than I used to. He has written a lot of things, got quite a bit of his work published. A guy worth listening to, especially from my perspective.
The guy told me about a friend of his who has written eighteen novels. Wow! That’s a lot of writing, and he lives now on his writing income. The friend shared with the guy I was meeting with that he had written over a million words in the last year… I pondered that number. It’s a big number.
Some quick calculations in my head revealed to me that I too have written that many words in the last year… I pondered the amount of words all of us use and share in a year and across our lives. How many words spoken have helped others? How many have hurt others?
I wondered to myself in a sort of daze about the words we spend on ourselves and then others. I wondered how much the words have cost us and others? I questioned the value of our words and if our words left their origin and fallen on ears that let the words die because they had little value.
I’m curious to know if the words we use and write are bringing life? As the ink dries behind my scribbles, is it the death or birth of an idea? Do our words die with the drying of the ink or does it breathe supernatural life into others? The line is finer than the line of a pen.
I meditate on the idea of our words spent on ourselves as clever promotion… Is the truth of God first? I’d say only He knows which side of the line we’re currently flirting.
The value of our words, written or spoken, all depend on our heart and perspective. When our words bring the truth of God in love and compassion for others, they find life. Our words when carrying that truth have a life in His word. The miracle of words is a gift from God, the true and living Word.
The life and death of our words depend on the story and message they carry. When our words point to His creation without acknowledging the power behind what it is we speak or write of, imminent death awaits our words. They will fall to the ground and mix with the earth, lost in His creation, and it doesn’t matter how many words we write or speak in a year. The life of God in us gives our words wings.
“God is omnipotent.” Those three words might be the most profound words I’ll write this year or ever in my life. If we read all the words of scripture, wouldn’t you agree that this is the central theme or message? If our words don’t start with that at the core of our message…
We’re wasting our time…
And words…
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 1:54 am
It is hard for me to wrap my head around those three words…and others like it. God is Omniscient. God is Omnipresent. God is Love. You are right though: waste of time and waste of words not to believe it.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 12:20 pm
Thanks, Bill. I’d say it’s impossible to get our heads around it right now too. But it’s a wasted life that doesn’t ponder it.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 8:14 am
Great post, our words either written or spoken have power. I know we both have the desire to speak/write words that positively impact others. Being able to write is a great way to add value and help others.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 12:21 pm
Good call, Dan. It most certainly is a way to add value and help others. Thanks for adding value to this site and my life.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 2:09 pm
Your welcome. I can always count on you to cause me to think and grow.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:23 pm
Awe man, thank, Dan.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 8:41 am
Very timely post for me.
It reiterates the message I heard yesterday at my father-in-laws memorial service.
The best part of the service (for me) wasn’t my spouse playing his guitar and singing (though that was very touching) it was the preacher reading from my father-in-laws journal. In the days leading up to his departure he didn’t write about the tremendous pain he was in or all his regrets. He wrote about how blessed he was and how thankful he was to His savior.
It was moving beyond words. Only a relationship with Christ can bring that kind of peace when a life is being cut so short.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
That’s an amazing legacy your father in law left for not only his loved ones, but to us as well that get to hear the heart and strength of God in a man in his final days and hours. That is soul moving… I’m praying for you and the entire family in this time of sorrow. Joy comes in the morning. God bless and thanks for sharing something so personal and powerful. I’m blessed and honored by your words and your late father in law’s as well. And thanks for being used by God to speak to my heart today.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 1:40 pm
“the words we spend on ourselves and then others”….that phrase so caught my eye. It is exactly how I fee;l. We have an account from which we draw. We are accountable as to how we spend ( share) the Life God has given us to share.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, says proverbs. By our words we are justified and by our words we are condemned. The Bible is pretty specific, but we like to dance around thinking we are in control and it doesn’t matter what we say. I was just starting a post on “I Just say it like it is”. Eye opening.
I remember praying one time, that the words spoken carelessly would fall to the ground, die and produce no fruit. God answered that prayer. I was so glad.
Keep on keeping on Floyd. God will direct you to where you need to be – I know it’s hard to wait. Thanks for your messages and for your perserverance!
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:22 pm
Thanks, Nancy. I always appreciate your kind and encouraging words. You use your words as a gift lift up others and I’ve been an honored recipient of those words, especially the words you call to our Father on my family and my behalf. Wonderful wisdom you share. God bless you and yours, Nancy.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 2:59 pm
“The life of God in us gives our words wings.”
Your words do a lot of flying, Floyd. I’m thankful for the consistent message of humility and hope and worship that your words carry. I hope you have a lot more words in you ready to fly around!
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:27 pm
Thanks, Lisa. The spirit of God within my brothers and sisters in Him lift me up beyond what my words can articulate. We’ll swap our hearts as we fly past one another in the beautiful dimension where our souls long soar.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 5:35 pm
I suspect you wrote well over a million words this past year. And as Lisa says, your words are a wonderful form of worship that leads each of us to the throne room. Thanks for answering the call Floyd and serving so faithfully.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:29 pm
Thanks, Audra. I appreciate the encouraging words and share that same sentiment toward you and all that you share. You’re too kind…
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
Robert and I too wonder if our words written are making an impact. We see the stats and it is amazing the number of views to our blogs, yet only a few make comments. We think “Were these viewers (unknown possibly to us) affected by our words.” We hope so. Then I hear good reports from the few who have my book, and then I look at the box of books still not sold and wonder who they should belong to. Thank you so much for sharing at Tell Me a Story. I always welcome your entry. http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:32 pm
I can assure you, my friend that your words never come back void. Your heart and wisdom are evident in your words that you share with the world on our Father’s behalf. Thanks for being you! And thanks for honoring me and allowing me to share it at your wonderful site!
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
Today I was pondering again (i seem to be doing that alot of late 🙂 ) over why i write and share it on a blog..and my dreams of speaking and publishing. The words of Paul to the church in corinth (1st cor 2:1-5) leaped at me.
“….and I brethren when i came to you did not come with excellence of speech or wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For i determined not to know anything among you but except Jesus Christ and Him crucified….and my speech and preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the spirit and of power that you faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God”
Rather long quotation 🙂 but but God is reminding me where my heart should be when it comes to sharing words, spoken and written. Your post is right up on cue in this journey 🙂 Thank you for sharing. You are a great blessing.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:34 pm
Thanks, Ngina. I’d say we ponder in much the same way. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to your heart as you share it through your words. You are a blessing to me as well. God is good is He not?!!
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 6:55 pm
No truer words were ever written, Floyd. Words can build up and they can tear done, they can encourage or stifle. Our words can break hearts or make a heart burst with joy. Out of the abundant of our hearts our mouth speaks. If our hearts of filled with the Omniscient One, our words should reflect His.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:35 pm
Thanks, Mike. You and I are on the same page… Well, I actually might be some pages behind, but we’re in the same Book!
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
Never thought about how many words I have spoken or wrote. My husband is a man of few words so when he does speak everyone listens. He jokes after we have been visiting folks and spent the whole day talking that he used all his words for that month in one day. Good post brother.
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 7:49 pm
Thanks, Sister. You know, it really is the wisest of men who speak the least I think. My dad was the same way. I’m not sure why that is… I do know it’s a gift from God. I must definitely be over my quota for the month!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 11:36 am
“So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.” 1 Cor 14:9–Wise as always Floyd. It’s about truth. Simple truth. God is omnipotent. Always hits its mark, and is the core of our Christian worldview and our faith in Christ. Blessings, Voni
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 8:08 pm
Thanks, Voni. It does always hit the mark. Good call. He never falls short. It is His power that sustains every breath on this planet… even the scoffers. Great scripture quote to back this up.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 1:15 pm
God created the WORLD with his Word. He created us (through Word) in His own image. So yes, I believe that our words have power.
Thanks for the reminder to be careful how I use them.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 8:11 pm
Nicely said, Helen. I guess we all need a reminder now and again. It’s great to hear from you! I was on your site last week trying to leave a comment and couldn’t find a place to add one? Probably operator error… Thanks, Helen!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 1:15 pm
God created the WORLD with his Word. He created us (through Word) in His own image. So yes, I believe that our words have power.
Thanks for the reminder to be careful how I use them.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 4:24 pm
A very thoughtful post. It’s provoked two thoughts. First, a million words is really astonishing. If words were bricks, imagine the city you have built or are building. Tossing the metaphor aside, it’s evidence of a body work, which is something to proud of. Second, for those still searching, the words can be a pathway for them to follow. Thanks for sharing yours.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
Thanks, Keith. From a real life writer like you, I’m greatly encouraged and deeply thankful for your time. I pray that the words are worthy to be followed.