Well. If you know me, I bet that this title probably stood out to you, and the intention of hooking your attention worked.
i wanted to share what i learned from what was not even 24 hours, but 12 hours of not speaking, and how that longggg day changed my perspective forever.
It was almost 4 months ago now in Peru when I realized that God was calling me to go deeper in intentionality with my words. I felt the need to do a speech fast for the day. This meant not talking.
Since ministry in Peru at the time looked like translating women’s bible studies and vbs for kids, I realized I couldn’t do it during a ministry day.
Saturday was perfect. It also happened to be the day that me and my team were going to go to the Peruvian beach for the first time.
…the day i would most want to talk.
when I realized what had to be done (by full choice)
I cringed inside, and fastened my spiritual seatbelt.
here are the 7 lessons i wrote down in my journal that night:
november 30th
1.presence is a lot.
“be still and know that i am God” Psalms 46:10
instead of thinking about what i was going to say, i looked around more and noticed what was around me, and took in more life. physical stillness showed me being still within my heart, too.
2.my words weren’t always needed.
“when pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes honor and wisdom.” proverbs 11:2
there were times when it would’ve been really helpful for me to speak like giving team directions, rallying the group, and explaining— but life lived on without my words just fine. i realized that sometimes my pride and agenda got in the way of what was already happening. when i take a step down from doing the leading it gives my other equipped teammates the ability to lead and for me to follow.
3.it was frustrating.
“wise speech is rarer and more valuable than rubies” proverbs 20:154
it felt like i was put in the head space of being a local that wanted to speak with us but couldn’t, or like one of our kids from Ecuador with cerebral palsy who would want to speak but physically couldn’t. this perspective changed everything for me in realizing the blessing, and taking advantage of speaking.
4.it was hardest holding back words of love.
“kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” proverbs 16:24
there were so many times throughout the day-especially going to the beach that all my teammates got dolled up and looked so BEAUTIFUL that i wish i could’ve told them. instead, i would just gasp and scream.
5.by stewarding my words i was able to see my thoughts. when i steward my thoughts i steward my perspective and perspective is everything. “we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to christ.” 2 corinthians 10:5
by being still i was able to recognize what was coming to my mind, look at it, and see how worth saying it would’ve or wouldn’t have been. as a result of that…
6.i feel like i sinned a lot less.
“evil words destroy destroy one’s friends, wise discernment rescues the godly.” proverbs 11:9
as funny as that sounds, i felt like i had to say sorry a lot less than usual days when i would speak too quickly. i noticed a shift. with being still and taking time to recognize things, i noticed myself feeling more patient, gentle, and self-controlled.
7.we’ve been given the tool of life and death.
“gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” proverbs 15:11
just recently i heard this put into perspective so perfectly it blew my mind. Melissa Helser in her podcast episode “friendship with the holy spirit” explains the power of our breath and words.
God created the world and us with His breath. He breathed life into the world. “Then God said “Let there be light,” and there was light.” genesis 1:3
this means WE HAVE GOD’S BREATH WITHIN US. If God can create universes with His breath, and if we have His breath,
surely we can create a new world and speak life, too.
Your words are big. they are important. They have influence, impact and power.
if i said that you had a lightsaber waiting for you to be used, would you use it?
i hope so.
here’s to not just talking anymore or babbling on without thought.
cheers to no longer swinging around a lightsaber and accidentally destroying things.
here’s to speaking, truly speaking, writing and singing things with what we have:
power, love, and self control.
(2 timothy 1:7)
…
God. thank you that you are a friend and a father that corrects me so gently and still so lovingly. when I’m wrong you show me the right way with understanding + compassion. when I’m quick and rushed you’re slow and steady. when I’m sluggish and lagging you’re ahead and ready. help me to never take speaking for granted but to only use it for what is good and pleasing to you. bless my words to speak with truth and love the way you do. i love you!
cami
let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you o lord my rock & my redeemer. amen !
(psalm 19:14)
