As I sit staring at a stack of classroom things that need to get taken care of, I say “I’m not doing it!”…yet. I need a break; I’m tired of looking at it. So, instead I shall write a blog that I have been mentally planning for a while.
This summer I worked a recreation camp in my university town of Cleveland, Mississippi. In that time I attended a revival service at the little Delta church where Zach used to be youth minister. I might add that this was quite possibly the first place that he realized that he might be romantically interested in me, but that is beside the point. Rodney Jones, one of my favorite men in the entire world spoke, and I cannot remember honestly what the points were. I do remember though complete conviction as he spoke about power and how Jesus demonstrated power in his three year ministry on Earth.
Zach likes to remind me that I am bit feisty, opinionated, and transparent. No worries, he NEVER says it in those ways, but he tries to keep me in check in a loving manner. He laughs, because I am indeed the Chihuahua that thinks she is a German Shepherd.
In our twisted world we have come to think that vocalizing our opinion and saying what we want gives us power over others. We think that “telling someone off” showed the other person who’s boss. Sometimes, we just want our disagreement to be heard by anybody that will listen. We have justifications for everything, because we never want to appear as if we are at fault. Cutting or condescending comments might possibly make us appear smarter/above the other. I am guilty or have been guilty of every single bit of this. Our mouths can get us into some trouble.
Enough about me. Let’s talk about Jesus. He holds all the power of the universe. So, how did he display it while he was on Earth? He told everyone that they were making the stupidest decision of their life for crucifying Him. He gave everyone threats, and gave every excuse in the world as to why he was innocent. WRONG! When he was being questioned by Pilate (Matthew 27:11 ff) He stood in silence. This was his chance to worm His way out of the most cruel deaths the Roman world had. This was his chance to plead His true innocence. He stood in silence! As He was being mocked and beaten He was silent! As He was being mocked as He was placed on the cross in OUR place He was silent. He is the only one who has a right to speak! He had every right to justify Himself, to fight his way down, to condemn, and to ridicule. He didn’t. I don’t know about you, but that speaks volumes to me. He displayed His power with silence, self control, and gentleness.
Let’s return to the habits of my speech. What is the ultimate root? Arrogance, pride, and lack of self-control are the roots. I do not want to be powerful in my own eyes. I want to be powerful in the way that Jesus demonstrated. There is power in silence. There is power in restraint, and there is power in self-control. That is where ultimate power lies. May our speech be filled with truth and love or may it be nonexistent. May we follow the example that our Jesus gave us. How will you and I react to that mocking family member. How will we respond to the next nasty parent note, teachers? How will we respond to the next accusation? How will we respond to the next disrespectful comment? How will we respond to the next insult? It’s good to be back with you, reader friends! Happy Wednesday.
Shaped by Grace,
Jessica Hardy
I may need to print this out and put in every room I spend more than 5 seconds in. My mouth certainly takes control more than it should.
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