Word of Mouth

Author - Keyshawn Parkman
 
As the weeks pass by, we come into one of the coldest parts of the year. We’ve covered the plants with wrapping, and prepped the house for “freeze week.” Time has begun to speed up again as we’re no longer on our break. We’re getting back accustomed to our rhythm as we knew it and of course having fun together. From movie nights and home cooked meals to disc golf and pickle ball—we’ve been all over the place the past few weeks. This rhythm has caused me to make some adjustments in my schedule. You see I used to always have time available to meet with God and worship. Now I’m challenged to be intentional with my time with Him. I’ve began waking up earlier in the morning, working out and reading scripture. I’m proud to say I’ve joined the “6AM Club”.
     
During my morning readings, I’ve been going back and forth between the books of John, his gospel and his other books. One thing I’ve admired about John’s perspective of Jesus is the powerful words He spoke. John’s Gospel has become my favorite book in the Bible. Today, I’d like to speak on a prompt I’ve been given that a disciple learns Jesus’ words. For me this couldn’t be more than true, and deeply important. Jesus’ time here on earth was short but impactful. He reached a lot of people and performed many miracles, but what stands out to me the most are His words.
     
Words have a strong ability to shape our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. The impact of words goes beyond mere communication; they hold the power to uplift or wound, inspire or discourage. Positive words can serve as a source of motivation, building up self-confidence and resilience. On the other hand, negative words have the potential to cause deep wounds, changing the way we see ourselves and contribute to stress or anxiety.

Moreover, words play a vital role in shaping our internal dialogue. The narratives we construct within our minds, often influenced by the words we encounter, influence our attitudes and behaviors. Positive self-talk can enhance self-esteem and foster a growth mindset, empowering individuals to face challenges with optimism. On the contrary, a barrage of negative words, whether from external sources or our own thoughts, can lead to self-doubt and hinder personal growth. Recognizing the profound impact of words allows us to approach communication with mindfulness and empathy, fostering environments that nurture mental and emotional well-being.
     
This is important when it comes to the words of Christ, as it’s His words that we must build our foundation on and nothing else. I was someone who was influenced negatively by the words that were spoken to me throughout my life. I witnessed the negative impact it had on me. But throughout scripture we see how Jesus’ words impacted those who followed him and of those he spoke to.

In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus says, Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. As somebody striving to follow Christ, I’ve come to understand the importance of building a foundation on His words, and His teachings as opposed to even my own words and what makes sense to me.
     
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having to be more intentional in this season, finding time to read my Bible and hear the words of Jesus. Through the many ups and downs and challenges I have faced, I’ve grown to understand what Jesus meant in Luke 6 about hearing His words and doing them. Over the years I’ve learned the importance of how words can shape our world; how they can change the perspective of how we see ourselves and others. I’ve made it my priority to revolve my life around hearing His words and His teachings. That is what we’ve been learning about being a true disciple of Jesus.