WATCHWORD:
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:25-29
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19
Meditation:
Sometime ago I was reading a version of a Jesus Calling devotional from a few years ago and the Lord spoke to me about my occasional tendency to speak before I think. I know that I’m not alone in blurting out words and thoughts that I immediately regret. I sometimes speak in humor, clever little quips, and, too often, the listener hears nothing to smile about, and it may even cause an argument.
I can see the blessed ideal in what the Apostle James has said about being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to take offense or become angry. That’s very wise counsel but I’m wondering how many of us intentionally follow that advice, especially in the heat of a discussion, called an argument. Sometimes our pride or perhaps our imagined self-esteem takes control of our tongue, and, as if by magic, out-come words we really did not want to speak. It’s a discipline. It takes a certain amount of intentionality to hold your tongue. Holding your tongue takes great strength and we need help. Holy Spirit?
There are so many forces pressing on us in today’s world that causes great anxiety and stress. We are left with feelings of impotence, of powerlessness, and the question that stands before us is, what do I do, where do I go for answers? How can I face all of this, after all it’s just me? It is a struggle and as far as we can tell we are near the end of our strength. The pandemic was bad enough, but now there are some really big questions and we find ourselves in psychological exhaustion. Again the question, what do I do?
Without getting too simplistic, we need to rest on our faith. If our belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is insufficient for what we are faced with, than what’s our faith for? In truth, we have an Advocate, a Comforter, a Helper readily available to carry us through, or over, or around the mountain, the source of the stresses we are feeling. Then, the question is ‘do we call upon the Spirit within with serious intent?’
Sometimes it’s hard to grasp that the help we want and need is readily available through a simple prayer: Help Me, Holy Spirit, or Help Me, Jesus. In those words is more power then we can imagine. In the simple act of consciously thinking or speaking that prayer, we are tuning in to our Lord and our Savior who rests within our heart. He is right there and He will indeed help us. It is not a mantra, it is speaking directly to God.
In the Jesus Calling devotional, those simple words are called “split-second prayers”, but they put you in touch with the Presence of the Lord. In this way, our speech comes under the control of the Holy Spirit. We will be surprised, maybe amazed, at the affect, as positive speech patterns replace negative ones. We find calmness and peace, even in the midst of our storms. Why our friends might take notice that “we have been with the Lord.” Amen.
What?!
Mother Superior calls all the nuns together and says to them: “I must tell you all something. We have a case of gonorrhea in the convent.”
“Thank God,” says an elderly nun at the back of the room, “I’m so tired of Chardonnay.”
Closing Prayer:
Precious Heavenly Father, We come before You this day knowing that everything we will encounter has passed through Your hands. We know that difficulties, adversities, blessings and graces are all part of the day that You have laid out for us. Whatever we may encounter we know that You have equipped us to cope, and have provided a Helper in the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Father, the word gratitude doesn’t cover how thankful we are that we are in Yours. Lead us this day and keep us focused on Your will in all things. All of our prayers we offer in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
