Love and Words
Talking goes on endlessly all the time and most of it passes without much long term effect. It’s like waves hitting the beach day and night.
Love is received first because it does not originate in us.
We don’t make it.
What we do make are words, lots of them. So one of the tells as to whether or not we have been soaking in love will come from listening to what we are saying.
It might be our word selection. Profanity, is generally on the selfish side. It is a way to shock, seem tough and serious, and it easily shuts down conversations.
It might be our timing. There are times to keep quiet, for example. People in tune with love are able to sense this.
It might be our tone. The same words spoken harshly or coldly can be received as stabs or blows. They carry neither comfort nor encouragement.
It might be our intentions. It’s easy to deceive with words. Here is how King David of Israel put it.
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.
Psalms 36:1-4 (ESV)
The choice to live life without God loses with it an understanding of the power and importance of love in stabilizing our own characters and in strengthening our relationships with others.
David, understanding this, then turns and speaks to God.
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Psalms 36:5-12 (ESV)
True words well spoken.
These verses immediately come to mind when reading this: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22 - 23
Talking doesn't happen here at our house for reasons out of our control and my message is not ever to take it for granted or to let those precious words fall like waves hitting the beach.