The Best Words Ever!
Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Words have the power to deliver or destroy, raise up or ruin. Whether spoken aloud, or inside our heads, words can dictate who we are, influence where we’re going, or chain us to our past.
Countless syllables offering up compliments or criticisms, questions or directions.
Somedays we don’t mind the words. They’re filled with hope and life as they lift us up onto a new mountain top. Other days, the words speak darkness, cruelty, or humiliation, and we find ourselves sloshing around in a mud pit in the valley.
Like guide ropes along a path, I would grasp tightly to every word as I moved through my life, searching for acceptance, hunting for approval, or pursuing validation.
The interesting thing was that words often failed my expectations. If I was anticipating “beautiful” I would hear “nice” or “okay”, or if I was expecting “thank you” I heard only “why”. Words rarely seemed to match up to what I was looking for, and then I would become disappointed, feeling a little lower – a little less.
These days, I’ve changed my focus about the words I’m clinging to. I have a new set of words, that define, challenge and direct me. This group of words mean more to me than anything I will ever hear in this life, that’s because they’re not spoken this side of Heaven.
My motivation, purpose, and ambition, is to live out my life in such a way that my Master will greet me at the Pearly Gates and say…
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV)
I’ve decided to make my work, my play, and my love reflect my eager expectation to one day hear these words. I don’t want to give earthly utterances more value than Christ’s exclamations. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” are the BEST words I could ever hear!
However, the WORST thing I could hear when I get to the Gate, and drop to my knees in the presence of my Maker is…
“Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” (Matthew 25:12 NIV)
The mere thought of hearing these words makes my heart ache, but I don’t want to wallow in the fear of that possibility.
When I used to homeschool my kids, I would always tell them to “Go from what you know, to what you don’t know.” My point is we have to start with what we are sure of.
The Bible tells us that God loves us, that He redeemed us, and that He has prepared a place for us. If we believe this, we’ve got to start living this life with the joyful expectation we are one day going to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Hope in Motion
- Read Deuteronomy 32:1-4. God says to let his words descend like abundant rain on tender plants. What does this mean to you? Share in the comments below.
- How have words impacted your life? Have they held a promise, or a curse?
- What are you most looking forward to in Heaven? If you don’t think you’re headed upward, would you like to? If so, we can help!
Wow!!! Is so true, we as humans, we tend to keep all those horrifying words so deep inside and it hurts so much even to scratch a little bit. Instead, I do need to fill my soul and mind with the word of God and with all of his promises for me. And also I need to surround my self with positive Christian women like you ladies, thank you so much for all of the beautiful words that you post every time!!! God bless you always<3
Yes! Surrounding ourselves with God, his promises, and other Christians can do so much to buffer the negativity we’re exposed to. Thank you Monica for spending time with us! We are blessed to know you’re finding encouragement and hope here.
Raye I think this is something that everyone struggles with. I know I do. How those bad words can stick with you for so long. when I do hear those words that bring me down I know that I can go to the Bible and read the words that pick me up again. I am so looking forward to hearing those wonderful words from our Lord. ” Well done by good and faithful servant.” thank you for writing about this.
It’s always been interesting to me how one of the smallest parts of our body can hold the most power to praise or destroy. It’s just one more choice we have to make – do we become trapped by it, or live out what God shouts from heaven? As always, thanks for your insight Lori!
This is so timely, after hearing words that were more than disappointing, from people who should know better. Lord, help me weather the storm so that I, too, may hear, “Well done good and faithful servant”!
Oh, how we hang onto those disappointing words. Thanks for your thoughts Devery, and may the Lord answer your prayer!
Those words really hit home for me. I focus way to much on what I want or need others to say and I really only need to focus on what I will hear from God as I step into eternity someday. If all my focus is on Him, my joy, purpose, and daily needs will be met! Great post Raye!
Remaining focused on Him – that’s the daily walk isn’t it? Thanks for sharing Lori!
Amen, you have spoken my heart. To hear my Lord say that will make all my most diffcult days worth every sorrow!
Amen indeed, Diane! Thanks for your comment.