Life Giving Words
When Julie and I were first married we lived in the upper story of an old home across from Southern Seminary. It had plenty of what we called “character,” including 70s shag carpet, severely sloped walls, and a few free loading residents (think bats and birds). Though small, it was convenient to be able to reach the fridge or the sink while sitting at the kitchen table.
We have since prioritized space and head room over convenience, however one thing I miss about that apartment was the short walk to the Seminary bookstore and library. Those were in our early days of college ministry, and I loved to take a break and get lost in the endless stacks of information.
One day I was walking across campus, following the tractor beam, and there ahead of me was our “new” interim pastor at Valley View at the time, Dr. Hershael York (you may recall that he preached here last October). Dr. York paused to introduce me to a colleague walking with him. I have long forgotten the other professor, but I’ve never forgotten how Dr. York introduced me. He said, “I’d like you to meet John Majors. He’s going to be a great preacher some day.” When he said that, I had to look around to see if he were talking about another John Majors (my dad or grandad were nowhere to be seen) or if it were a prank. We exchanged pleasantries and continued on our way. I left thinking, “He must know something I don’t because I can barely talk in front of people let alone preach!” But that comment has always stuck with me, especially when I read the Proverbs.
Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Every time we open our mouths we have a choice to either give or take life with what we say. Dr. York chose to give life that day, and though I’m guessing he forgot about that conversation before the day was over, I still think about it. How often do I do the opposite? Or not take an opportunity to give life to others and instead focus on myself?
This Sunday we’ll be continuing in our study of 10 topics in Proverbs. Last week we looked at what Proverbs says about our finances, and this week we will examine what it says about the use of our words. So much of what we say exposes what is already in our hearts (see Matthew 12:34). My prayer is that Valley View will always be known as a church that is life-giving with our words. We’re not perfect, we have plenty of faults, but I pray this is an area where we are growing and excelling and standing out to the world around us.
Of course the most life-giving words we can give anyone is the message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Take a moment to pray today and ask God to show you one person you can give life-giving words to today somewhere in the South End of Louisville.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 
 on Unsplash