In keeping with the inadvertent theme I followed this week (translated: I had no clue what I was going to write or where I was going to go), I heard a song last night while working out that really made me think.  Before I have you listen, let me preface it with some thoughts.

It is no secret that words shape lives.  I have written, as have thousands of others, about the importance of words upon individuals.  You only need to hear them being used on someone else, or being the recipient of them, to see the damage done by ill-suggested words.  I mentioned just a couple of weeks ago how Jo called me on calling someone an “idiot” because they were running with their back to traffic.  True, it wasn’t very smart, but to call them a degrading word like I did was not cool.  How many times have you and I used those words about others?  Ourselves?

Here’s the rub as I see it.  If I see every person as an important person to God, what right do I have to use degrading words/names to describe them?   If I believe that about others, what am I saying about my belief system?  Think about this: what I believe drives me.  Put it another way: what I believe is foundational to everything else I do in life.  It will begin and be fueled by what I believe.

Suddenly I find myself facing a challenge/hurdle that requires me to scale or fall.  Next time I see someone acting “not so smart” (as if I always do), I need to be really careful what comes out of my mouth.   Here is another rub: what I say/think/express about others, is often what I have been told or feel about myself.   Because I might be weak, or timid, or fearful, or (fill in the blank), it is highly likely I am saying something that in the long run makes me look not-so-bad.

Here chew on this:

We must see every person as a miracle waiting to be unwrapped. Every broken heart, hurt, harmed, lame, lonely, and lifeless person is a potential launching pad for incredible change.

 My prayer: “Help me to see, Father, people as you see them.”

Now here is the song

By the way: credit where credit is due.  The highlighted green passages are quotes from Artie Davis’ book, Craveable. pages 21 & 25.   Do you have any thoughts you would care to share?