Words or Weapons?
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. I distinctly remember responding with this line as a child on the playground after being called a name. I don’t remember what I was called, or any other details… knowing me I probably ended it with sticking my tongue out and turning on my heel with my head held high as I walked away. However, as much as I wanted to believe that words didn’t hurt, they cut… sometimes deeply and I would end up in tears later.
Fast forward to my adult life and things haven’t changed much. Words spoken to me have filled the sails of my dreams, propelling me forward in the pursuit of the adventure of what could be. Words have also stopped me dead in my tracks, sidelined with what seemed like shattered pieces of the life I knew scattered around me. Words are powerful.
Maybe you like me, have watched and listened to the impact of words around our Country. I have found myself heartbroken as I’ve watched words land like explosives, leaving casualties in their wake. Then words hurled back, leaving just as many wounded. Have we forgotten the power of our words?
Iv’e been drawn to the story in John 8 of Jesus writing in the dust. The religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery before Jesus.
7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.
We can only guess what Jesus was writing in the dust, but the power of his statement – let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone – speaks so strongly to the concept we are all fellow strugglers… ALL of us. It’s not us vs. them. It’s so easy for us to accuse, feel indignant about, and hurl accusations and statements at each other, and because of the strength of our convictions, feel very justified in doing so.
Oh friends, could we be gentle with one another? Could we engage in meaningful discussion with one another about how we came to think or believe the way that we do.Could we listen authentically, seeking understanding instead of ammunition? Could we listen authentically, seeking understanding instead of ammunition? Share on X Could we entertain that maybe we don’t have it all figured out quite as fully as we might like to think?
I have often learned the most from those who think or believe the most differently from what I do. Let’s not miss the adventure of speaking and listening compassionately, and engaging in the beautiful art of discussion. Your words are powerful – use them wisely!
Will you commit to engaging in a compassionate exchange with a fellow struggler this week? I would love to hear how it goes!