1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. If only this were true. As we all know and have experienced, words can be incredibly painful. Words can ruin relationships. Words can ruin lives. And yet, how blessed we are to be able to speak to one another. Words can have such power. They can move us to action, move us to tears, move us to accomplish great things!
Words have certainly been powerful in my life. I’ve known I wanted to be a librarian since I was a teenager. I majored in English in college and dove straight into my library science master’s program at 21 years old. By the time I turned 22, I was working full-time as a librarian. A big part of my decision to work in libraries has to do with a lifelong love of words. I’ve been a reader forever. I visited the library to check out new books at least once each week, more if I could convince someone to take me. My parents let me stay up 30 extra minutes past bedtime if I was reading quietly in my room. Reading is still the last thing I do before sleeping, and everyone in my family knows not to interrupt my “reading time,” as it is truly sacred in my life.
I’ve always been amazed by how words make up stories that transport us to other places and times. They are the way we share our human experiences with each other. Words are magical to me, and in this passage, Peter reminds us that as Christians, we have a responsibility to speak the very words of God. Our ability to speak is a gift from God, so we must use words to serve each other, to create magic for others. I’m challenging myself to be more mindful of my words and their impact this Lent. I hope you’ll join me!
I love this prayer from the 19th Psalm:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
-Katelyn Burton