Regarding the current condition of our world -whether political, societal, or cultural- all must agree there is great polarization. The negativity and negative words may create a less than optimistic outlook.
As we begin this year together, let’s watch our words. In his book, Please, Sorry, Thanks, Mark Batterson begins with this statement on the power of words.
“According to linguists, abracadabra is the most universally used word that doesn’t need translation. It is a word employed by magicians, but the etymology is really more spiritual than magical. The ancient word means, ‘As I speak I shall create.’ Put another way- words create worlds.”
Words are powerful. In Genesis, God used words and spoke the universe into existence. In the gospel of John, Jesus is described as the Word who is with God and is, in fact, God!
The Jewish theologian, Abraham Herschel, says that words themselves are sacred. They are God’s tools for creating the universe, and they are also our tools for bringing holiness or evil into this world.
The power of words can be seen even in the plant world. Scientists have found that negative words spoken to plants cause them to languish, while positive words help them to flourish. What is true about plants is also true about humans.
Our words have the power to bless or curse, heal or hurt, give life or cause death. That is pretty powerful, and it is why Solomon wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” If you want to improve a relationship, start by changing your words. If you want to change your attitude, change your words. In short, if you want to change your life – begin by changing your words.
This was a great reminder for me; it is also personally challenging to live out in my day-to-day routine. I think that is why I tend to gravitate toward the Apostle Peter’s personality. I suspect that he struggled with his words. Yet, when you see the transformational work that Jesus accomplished in his life, it gives me great hope that I will experience the same. How about you? We serve together, and part of our role requires that we speak and use words constantly. Let’s remember what the book of Proverbs says about words and use it as encouragement this year:
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time.”
Proverbs 25: 11 (AMP)
Let’s live this out here at CSCS this year!
God bless,
Roland DeRenzo, Ed. D
Superintendent of Schools