Encouragement
Words are one way that we express ourselves, how we feel, what we think, and what we value.
In surveys done around the world, it has been found that the average female uses about 25,000 words every day, and the average male about 14,000. Of course, some of us use less, and others considerably more! (Insert any gender jokes you feel are appropriate here).
Words or language say something about the speaker. As someone talks to you, they get to know you, they get to know your likes and dislikes, your fears and anxieties; what makes you laugh, what makes you sad…
Now God uses our relationship with Him and one another as part of the process of teaching us how to live together in His kingdom; His way. One of the many aspects of our relationships with each other is the way in which we communicate. That is, the words we use, combined with the way we use them, can make for good or bad relationships to develop.
The apostle Paul writes in great length about how we should build one another up with the Word of God.
Have you ever been to New York? I'm sure you've seen some of how the people there behave. People yell at each other all the time, they are sarcastic and rude to each other and proud of it! I'm sure it's no coincidence that they have the highest crime rate per head than any other place in America.
LOVE AND THE CABBIE.
Columnist Art Buchwald tells the story of a day when he was riding in a cab in New York City with a friend. When they got out of the cab, the friend said to the driver, "Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving this cab!"
The taxi driver seemed stunned for a second and said, "Are you being sarcastic or something?"
"No," said the man, "I’m serious. I admire the way you keep cool in heavy traffic. Not many cab drivers are able to do that. I’m glad I rode in your cab today!"
"Yeah, sure," said the cab driver and he drove off.
Buchwald asked his friend, "What was that all about?"
"I am trying to bring love back to New York City," said the man. "I believe it’s the only thing that can save New York City."
"You think one man can save New York City?"
"It’s not one man," said the man. "I believe I have made that taxi driver’s day. Suppose he has twenty fares. He’s going to be nice to those twenty fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares will in turn be kinder to their employees, shopkeepers or waiters, or even their own families. Eventually, the encouragement could spread to at least a thousand people. Now that isn’t bad, is it?"
"But you are relying on that taxi driver to pass your encouragement on to others."
"Maybe he won’t," said the man. "But I might say something nice to ten different people today. If, out of ten, I can make three happy, then I can indirectly influence the attitudes of three thousand or more."
"You’re crazy," said Buchwald to his friend.
"That shows how cynical you’ve become," said the man. "Take postmen, for instance. the reason so many of them hate their work is because no one is telling them that they are doing a good job."
"But they aren’t doing a good job."
"They’re not doing a good job because they don’t believe anyone cares if they do or not," replied the man.
Buchwald and his friend continued walking down the street and noticed five workmen eating their lunch. The friend stopped and said, "That’s a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and dangerous work."
The workmen looked at Buchwald’s friend suspiciously.
"When will the job be finished?" the friend asked.
"June" growled one of the workmen.
"Ah, that is really impressive. You must all be very proud of what you are doing here!"
As they walked away, Buchwald said, "I still don’t think you are doing any good."
"On the contrary," said the man, "when those workmen think about my words, they’ll feel better about what they are doing and somehow the city will benefit."
"But you can’t do this alone," said Buchwald. "You’re just one man."
"But I’m not discouraged," he said. "I’m hoping to enlist others in my campaign."
They continued walking down the street.
"You just smiled at a very ugly-looking woman," the man said to Buchwald.
"Yes, I know," Buchwald replied. "And if she’s a schoolteacher, her class is going to be in for a fantastic day."
Whatever we plant, it will produce fruit, just like seed planted in good soil, it will produce 30 times over, 60 times over or even 100 times over!
If we plant words of faith, it will produce faith in the listener, if we plant words of encouragement, it will produce hope, if we plant words of love, it will produce peace and allow love to grow in the listener.
REMEMBER: NEGATIVE WORDS PRODUCE NEGATIVE PEOPLE!
We can destroy our relationships with other Christians, and in turn our relationship with God (and theirs). Watch over your words and make sure that there is no condemnation. The Bible tells us that we will have to account for every word that we speak. Always err on the side of grace, and be concerned for your brother or sister in Christ. It shouldn't be our first priority to prove that we are right and they are wrong. The better way that Paul suggests is that 'We win each over with love'. Make every effort to say what you have to say, but say it with words that correct but do not condemn, say it with love that show that you care for the person, more than the issue or situation.
One day a young man stood up and said…
'I have a dream' - and a nation was changed!
Martin Luther King spoke out, and his words gave birth to New Hope and determination in the hearts of thousands of people, and the civil rights movement was born.
Another day in another place, a man spoke and said…
'We are the master race, and we are destined to rule for 1000 years'
And the Nazi party and Adolph Hitler became acceptable to a nation.
The difference between these two men who had a vision was this; -
Adolph Hitler was prepared to kill for he believed
Martin Luther King was prepared to die for what he believed.
How will you use your - 25,000, girls, and 14,000, guys - words today?
Will you be like Jesus who spoke the Sermon on the Mount and changed the world?
The Holy Spirit in you produces seed, and your words can make a difference, will you sow words of encouragement and love?
We have a choice… If we choose to speak words of love and encouragement to those around us, then we will see God's Word come alive in them. We will see them growing in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
With such a purpose and a plan for our lives, surely Jesus will be glorified and all honour will be given to Him