Or a phrase… Have you ever pondered what the weight of a word could be in your life? What about in the life of those around you? Or, in the life of strangers?
Today, I went to a women’s Bible study group for the first time in a long time. This is a new thing for me, and today was the first meeting. Perfectly, I might add, while my brother is in Dialysis, I can go to this Bible Study group, and still be done in time to pick him up, and he’s none the wiser for it. But, I digress… the “homework” we had before the start of this group today, was to pick out our favorite Bible verse for sharing and discussion at the study group.
Now, I’m not sure about you all, but as for me, I didn’t (and still don’t) have a favorite Bible verse. Meaning, I like too many verses for there to simply be one favorite. But, the verse I chose speaks to me, and came to me earlier in my life as a Christian.
Numbers 6:24-26
So, the verse I chose to share at the meeting today, is Numbers 6:24-26. It says the following (in the NIV version I might add):
“The LORD bless you and keep you, the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
You might have a few questions about this verse, which I am hopefully going to answer below. The first might be, “Well, why did you choose this verse in particular?”
That’s easy. First, I like the verse. Second, remember me mentioning that this came to me earlier in my Christian life? Well, it did. You see, I was attending a Lutheran church with my husband and his parents for a while, when we lived down state. That church’s pastor, happened to be Jeff’s (my husband) uncle. So it made sense to me on that fundamental level as to why they attended this particular church.
However, it wasn’t until I actually attended myself that I understood why on a deeper level. It was a welcoming place, and Jeff’s uncle always talked (I would hate to say “preached” because it was more of a conversation, with humor and all) about God’s love. That seemed to me, to always be the focus of his message, or conversation with those gathered. At any rate, at the end of his sermon, he would always close out with a prayer using Numbers 6:24-26. And for some reason, it just fit. It always left me feeling full of God’s love and peace.
Cool Story, Bro
You might be thinking, “Okay, well… and?” Lol! So anyhow, I enjoyed sharing this verse with the ladies I was grouped up with today. They too, enjoyed this verse and thanked me for sharing it. They too had some interesting verses to share, and it got me thinking…
“If one verse, just one single verse, in the Bible can have such a profound impact upon a persons’ life… What truly is the weight of a word?”
“A-hah! So we come to it at last!”, you might be thinking. And you would be right. What truly is the weight of a word? Or a verse? Have you ever truly thought about it? Have you ever heard something said to you that was profound and moving that it changed the course of your life, forever? What about being moved to tears (of joy or sadness) by a single word? Tell me, have you ever felt the power behind a single word or verse?
I ask this, because each woman who spoke today, including myself, shared their own verse that had touched them in some significant and profound way, and they had had this very thing happen to them. This impressed upon the very weight of a word, or a phrase, or a book even! I mean, just think of it. The power that can be held in the palm of your hand (in a book). The power that can be spoken or sung aloud. Have you ever thought about this before?
The Weight of a Word
This brings me to my next point. The weight of a word. For example, you might be asking yourself, “but didn’t she just kinda go over that above?” Well, yes and no. You see, the very weight of a word can be mightily heavy. Your words can make or break people. Your words can bring peace to those around you or chaos. We each hold so much power, and yet, always feel so powerless. Why is that?
The main point of this post, is to help you to ponder for yourself the damage or damage control that your own words have imparted on this world. Have they wrought destruction? Or, have they brought peace to a stranger’s very being? What about the things you have read or heard elsewhere, like in a movie or a song? Now that the very weight of each word you say or write has been made known to you, even if it is in some small measure… What will you do with that knowledge? Will you be like God and use your Word to better the world? Will you be like Satan, and use your words to deceive and harm those you deem your enemy?
In short, I personally want to use my words to bring about peace and harmony. I want to share the love I have within me, with the entire world. I want to sing from the mountain tops that “Peace Begins with Me!” And, I want for every single person who crosses my path, to feel the joy that one feels when God truly does shine His face upon you.
God Bless you and keep you!
♥ Jess ♥
