I’ve been working on a presentation about language for a class that I’m taking and it’s made me think about the things that I say. Sometimes I catch myself using words or saying phrases that people outside of the church just wouldn’t understand or relate to.
I make casual references to things like:
-Speaking truths.
-Prophecy.
-Words of encouragement.
-Making a declaration.
-Intercessory prayer.
When I talk to people and give them encouragement I call them:
Kings and Queens
Warriors
Overcomers
Victors
Lovers or Beloved
Sons and Daughters
And these are just a few examples… There are so many more!
The language I use reflects my familiarity with the Kingdom and church culture that I have been a part of since I was a child. The thing is sometimes I just react and speak without really thinking through what I’m really saying.
The other day during worship I found myself praying and declaring things over our congregation. There was this beautiful sweetness to our worship. It was quiet and full of the richness of God’s presence. As I prayed I caught myself declaring that we would be a people of “high courage”.
For the very first time I stopped and thought about what that meant. I know what courage is but what is “high” courage? As I thought it through I realized how often I use the word “high” to add a little bit more power to words like courage.
But why do we do it? What does it mean? Does it even make sense?
Jesus is our High King. The Highest of all the Kings, better and more exalted than the rest. I need to think about it more but for now I would say that High Courage is a God kind of courage, royal courage. The kind of courage that God gives to us to bring him glory.
So with that in mind what was I really declaring?
I was declaring that we would be a bold people. A people full of supernatural, royal courage. A people who do not back down when the enemy leers in our faces. I was declaring that we are a prophetic people, a people who enter into battles with the end result in mind.
We go into battle with the COURAGE OF VICTORS.
We know that perfect love casts out all fear and so we boldly cry out to be filled up with more and more love. As we stand in the beautiful wash of God’s love, the kind of love that washed over us in church that Sunday, our fears are calmed, our wounds are healed and our hands grip tighter on our swords.
We will fight hard fights and we will claim victory.
God may we become a people of high courage. A people who stand in your victory in awe of the knowledge of your goodness, love and grace. May we always boldly proclaim you praises and bow our heads before your majesty.
