I just got done watching my favorite kind of movie, the kind that makes you reflect on life, how beautiful it is, and how adventurous and free it can be. It’s called Into the Wild and one of the key lines in the movie is “Happiness is only real if it’s shared.†Last weekend, a guy at the Czecho-Slovak Easter retreat was telling me and Graham how he loves to travel in the outdoors, to rough it and see new places. Most of his traveling, however, he does alone. At one point he solemnly said, I’d like it a lot more if I had someone to share my experiences with. There is a deep desire in mankind for community, a desire reflecting the very nature of the One God in three persons we worship.
Practicing praiseworthy speech is in many ways countercultural and therefore hard to keep up. It’s hard to sustain from day to day after having grown up in homes, schools, societies that model an often less than praiseworthy use of communication— throwaway words, selfish words, hurtful words, and on and on the list could go. Bucking the system and finding transformation is no easy task.
That’s where the Spirit-empowered community of believers comes in. We need each other. And, thank God, we have each other. Walking side by side as disciples of Jesus, Christ’s followers “spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).†They take seriously their responsibility to remind each other of the quality of speech that should flow from their mouths. Because it’s so easy to forget. They encourage one another to keep their heads up despite failures, to get back up after each fall. Because it’s so easy to get discouraged.
And so they—we—give hugs. We give pats on the back. We praise each other for successes along the journey. We thank each other for good deeds and genuine effort. Via a death/resurrection lens, we point out new ways to view a certain problem or situation, or we help someone see something from their enemy’s / friend’s / spouse’s / whoever’s point of view, thus removing blind spots and enabling grace to do its healing work. And the praiseworthy posture we take before any of this teaching or advice takes place, is sitting patiently, saying, “Bend my ear.â€
We also need to see examples and to be examples. We are to be living signs for each other and for the world of what communication can be in God’s righteous Kingdom—of how words can be used to set people free, to give life, to speak truth. And all along the way, we pray for each other and praise God. [Summary—what we need and get in community: reminders/accountability, encouragement, physical gestures, praise, thanks, new lenses, open ears, examples, prayer, voice to our worship.]
But beyond requiring community, this type of speech creates it. When you talk like Jesus it draws a crowd. When you use words the way they’re meant to be used it brings people together. Because, there is a hunger for truth in this world, for genuineness—with a healthy mix of humility. And there is a hunger for true praise—to join with all creation in unhindered praise for its Creator and to hear Him reply “Well done.â€
As God’s people, we are a family of storytellers, witnessing to the goodness of God to give everything to transform us and show his love for all people through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This priesthood, through words of blessing and hope, connects people with God. As God’s co-workers we are conduits of mercy and love sharing the good news that every man and woman on this planet is a child of God. [Summary—words that draw us together: speaking like Jesus, truth, genuineness, humility, true praise of God, true praise from God, storytellers/witnesses/priests/co-workers, good news, words of love/blessing/hope/reconciliation/mercy, revealing true identity.]
Thanks for reading everyone, Mitch.
God, make me humble and make me real.
Heal me.
Fill me with truth.
Make life flow from my mouth.