Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. ~Proverbs 12:18
To read today’s portion of scripture, you can purchase The One Year Bible 
Deuteronomy 28:1-68
Luke 11:14-36
Psalm 77:1-20
Proverbs 12:18
About a year ago, while visiting a new church, I heard Christy Nockels’ song, By Our Love, for the first time. I read the words on the screen and thought them beautiful, but it was the second verse that brought tears to my eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever before heard such a clear commission.
Sisters, we were made for kindness
We can pierce the darkness
As He shines through us
We will come reaching
With a song of healing
And they will know us by our love
It’s such a quiet mandate. There’s no “I am woman; hear me roar” there. I imagine an unbeliever reading those words might be offended. “Made for kindness?” A lot of women would chafe at that—I have no doubt. But to me, those words are beautifully humbling.
Why am I here? Why are you? Is our purpose the furtherment of our gender, or the breaking of glass ceilings? Or is our calling loftier than that—more noble, more honoring to God, more lasting, more needed?
I don’t know about you. You may already have this under your belt. But I more often reflect the influence of five decade’s worth of contrary shouts than I do the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit. I have made you for something lovelier …
I’ve known dozens (if not hundreds) of women who effortlessly pierce others with their words. I’ve been that woman more times than I like to admit. But I long to be a woman who heals wounds with my words.
Lord, my warring, self-preserving, debate-loving tendencies do not glorify you, and they are unkind. Harness me, Jesus. When I stand face-to-face with another, and I have a choice, help me speak words that pierce shadows, and not hearts.
http://https://youtu.be/7hNnq4RjW3w
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Thank you for including the videos and/or the actual songs so we can sing along. I hadn’t heard this one before. I’m going to put it on my Spotify playlist. I’ve been reading these devotionals out loud to my son who is 19 years of age and he loves them. Strange for a 19-year-old boy.
That totally blesses me, Liza. I love that your son has a hunger! And I’m so glad I got to introduce you to that song. It’s one of my all-time favorites now. 🙂 By the way, do you get a notification when I answer you? I don’t want you to think you’re just talking to space … lol.
No, I never do. I sometimes go back to see if you replied.
Oh, that’s not good. I’ll have to poke around and see if there’s a “follow” comments button I can add.