Soli Deo Gloria

"Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." ( Psalm 19:14 ) 

A couple of years ago a fairly well-known minister passed away and the next morning after his death, I began to scroll online to see what other fairly well-known folks were saying about him. I came to a tribute written by a fairly well-known Christian women's speaker and author. As I read the short homage, I was struck with the beauty of the words, the metaphors, and the sparkling sentences, and I said out loud, "Gee, I wish I could write like that." 

I read it again, a second time, just to hear the shear eloquence of the words roll off of my tongue. The third time I got down to business and looked specifically for the substance of the matter. What impact did the pastor make on her life; how was she better for knowing him? 

But I quickly realized that there was no substance, no richness. For all of the seemingly organic metaphors and exquisite language and shiny sentences, it lacked any degree of density. It satisfied like a stick of cotton candy on an empty stomach. 

She wasn't actually saying anything. It didn't seem like she even knew the man. And I never forgot this moment because it really, really made me think. 

This woman obviously has a great talent, but I found myself not envying her anymore. I want what I write to have substance. And it's not to say at all that she never does, honestly, I don't know. I just know that day was some type of awakening for me in what I do for the kingdom of God. I saw it with a fresh set of eyes. I took it more seriously. 

Paul told the Corinthians, "And I when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you expect Jesus Christ and him crucified." ( 2:1-2 ) I love these words - they have become beautiful to me because in two sentences Paul sums up the Christian life and focus. He didn't back down from speaking and writing the greatest substance of all. 

"Jesus is the substance."

The Scriptures do not teach us to make nice; they command us to cultivate and display kindness and to speak plainly. They teach us to speak the truth in love, and often times, the truth hurts. But love doesn't watch someone go down in flames. Love rescues. 

God has given all of us gifts of one sort or another, and what we may not realize is that as his children, his fellow workers and workmanship, our Sovereign Lord determines not only the talents we are given, but how we use them for his glory. The Spirit gives a variety of gifts, services, and activities, as He wills. Not us. 

This should cause us to pause and meditate. Scripture reveals to us that the purpose of our gifts are for the common good and to build up Christ's Church. Since Christ is the One doing the building through us, it only makes sense that we follow his blueprint. 

Whatever we speak or write, whether it's to our children or to a neighbor or to a coworker or to blog readers, I believe the substance of those words will be determined by the condition and motivation of our heart, to please us or to please our heavenly Father. To be acceptable to us and others, or to be acceptable to Him. For our glory or for His. 

💜

An early birthday present from my Farmer