I have been thinking about gifts lately. Not the kind you get for birthdays or holidays, but the kind given to us by our Father who loves us. I believe that the Father gives us gifts that are just for us, just to bless us when we need lifting up. Gifts that we get to enjoy that bring us pleasure, maybe a talent for something we love to do, maybe a person who makes our life a better place. There are also many gifts intended to be given away. Think of the gifts of the Spirit…
Galatians 5: 22-23 (NKJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…
The world is full of builders, craftspersons, writers, mathematicians, artists and problem solvers of all kinds. The list goes on.
The Father has also given us a gift, that the Bible calls very powerful. Our tongue. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” With it we have great power. The power to praise God. The power to demolish strongholds. The power to tear ourselves or another down. And the power to build up and strengthen, validate and encourage one another. The power to let someone know that they are valuable to you; that your life is better for them being in it; that you appreciate something about them. This power can be directed toward a neighbor, a friend, a sibling, a parent, a spouse, a child, someone who lives in your house or around the world. This is an awesome power, let's not waste it!
In this season we have been made all too aware of the unexpectedness of life. Let’s seize the moment to use our tongues as a gift. Choose someone you like, someone you love, someone you appreciate and tell them so today! Tell them why. Encourage someone who is facing a challenge. Be there for someone who needs a friendly ear. Sometimes the power is in what we don’t say. Make someone’s world better today, this week, this month. Be creative. You have the power!
Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
About the Author
Darla loves God and is the Media Communication Coordinator for CitySalt Church. She is a graphic designer and an entrepreneur. Always learning. Eternally grateful for her wonderful and supporting husband Mark and faithful friends who are are pillars of encouragement in all her endeavors.
Mark and Darla have no children but have the privilege of loving a gaggle of ever expanding nieces and nephews.