JAMES DAY 23 - Bless and Build Up

DAY 23
WHAT’S MY FOOTPRINT?
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Words can do a world of good.

“I love you” can change someone’s world. Words can inspire us to virtuous action. Sir Winston Churchill rallied the English against Nazi invasion with memorable speeches. Virginia Woolf used her pen to inspire generations of women to use their abilities to their full potential. Martin Luther King, Jr., rallied the nation’s soul, confronting racism and insisting on Civil Rights for all people. His “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream” speech are recited and memorized even today. Malala Youfsazai challenged the world to confront the mistreatment of children and women, allowing everyone to access education. 

Whether or not we ever give a famous speech, James challenges us to think about our verbal footprint. We talk about our environmental footprint, the impact of our actions on the ecology around us. Our words can start a raging forest fire in someone else’s life. Do my words bless and build up, or curse and tear down? 

James focuses more on the damage words can do, but Scripture also urges us to use our words for good. Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica to “encourage one another and build each other up.” 

Slow down, put away distractions, be present to the people around you, and be interested in their lives. Ask questions. Be curious. Avoid advice and judgment. Look for opportunities to praise good character and positive habits. You can build someone up!

REFLECT
How will you bless and build up someone with your words this week?

PRAY
Lord, you encourage me and seek to build me up to my full potential. Help me to use my words this week to bless and build someone up. Amen.