Dear Faith Family,
Do you ever have issues with your language? Not the occasional use of colorful descriptors (insert winking emoji!), so much as finding the correct words for a particular conversation--whether at work, with your spouse or children, and especially about God.
It may come as a shock, especially from one whose vocation is so word-oriented, but I often do not know what words to use in ordinary and eternal conversations. Struggling to find the right phrase or question, the conversation putters around on the surface, failing to go into the depths of person or Presence that words allow. Have you ever similarly struggled?
I know that my issue isn't everyone's. In fact, I know there are those with a verbal proclivity equivalent to the Niagra Falls! Nevertheless, the truth is, whether struggling to get out the words or second-guessing the words that get out, we all experience the endeavor of language that cultivates communion and conversion.
Good thing for us, the One who is "the Word" has a fix for our language issues. Ironically, the solution has nothing to do with getting the verbiage right but rather what we treasure.
Jesus, speaking directly to his disciples while amid a multitude, says,
"The good person out of the good treasure of the [their] heart produces good and the evil person out of [their] evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks."
(Luke 6:45)
If we want to use words well, regardless if our struggle is finding any words or using too many before we find the right ones, Jesus says the solution is to have a heart that stores up "good treasure."
What is "good treasure"? Well, Jesus answered that question too. The joy of every deep desire satisfied in life with God, a life in step with who we are in Him (Luke 6:20-22). When our hearts are full of such goodness, the right words flow out.
So the only question left is, "How do our hearts go about getting this treasure?" Well, once again, Jesus' words make clear the way:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."
(Luke 6:20-211)
A humility that keeps us needy of another's help, a hunger for life that keeps us coming to the source of Life himself, a hurt felt at those things which make life less than whole is all that is required for our hearts to receive the "Blessed" good treasure.
So this week, let's open our hearts to the good treasure of God with us, God for us, God in us. And from a place of neediness, hunger, and even hurt, speak words that bring life, "produce good," in our homes, offices, and neighborhoods.
Love you, faith family! God bless.