...About Chatter

Do you know how many words the average person speaks in a day? If you're reading this, I am going to assume you are "above average". =) So the average person utters about 34,000 words per day. Isn't that something? 34,000 words! So as I considered that, I couldn't help but ask myself a few questions: How many of those words are spent talking about me and communicating my needs? Get me this. I think this about that. I like that. Oooh, I don't like that. I'm tired. I'm hungry. Blah...Blah...Blah. On the flip side, how many of those words are invested in meeting the needs of others? How many of those words are used to encourage a friend? To compliment my wife? To comfort someone who is hurting? How many of those words are used to share with someone the good news that will meet the greatest need they will ever have? Can I not spare the words? 34,000 not enough to get that done?

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" (Rom 10:14-15).

More and more, I am feeling a churning and a discomfort inside of me. At first, I thought it was the chicken & rice I had in the City last night, but it's not that (ok, it's partly that). It's a realization and a burden summed up in 5 words: WE NEED TO SAY IT. We have to TELL people. "How will they hear unless someone tells them?" Yes, our lives will display the gospel, but we need to SAY IT. To share with people plainly, boldly, and lovingly that they too can have their sins forgiven! That they can have a relationship with God and eternal life and live today in the fullness of who they were created to be! That God might plead for them to come back to Him through us.

For me, 34,000 words is more than a number. It is 34,000 responsibilities. I want to take captive every one of those words and make sure each one is being used to speak truth. Always truth. To pour my words into loving people. Would you join me?