Speak Life
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” In other words, what you say matters.
It’s one thing to go about our day smiling, waving, holding open a door, letting someone hop in line in front of us, or even saying “thank you.” It’s another thing to be intentional about leaning into building relationships by engaging in conversation.
Lately, any chance I get to take my girls to a park, I do it. We hardly ever have the park to ourselves. There are always other parents with the same idea, get out of the house and get some energy out! Now, this may be an introvert's worst nightmare, but for me, an outgoing individual, I will usually strike up a conversation. As a stay-at-home mom, my only social interaction for most days is with two and one year olds.
There have been a handful of times when conversations have led nowhere. Just niceties and small talk. However, there have also been conversations that have been fulfilling, life-giving and purposeful.
It's all too easy to hold to your routine of going through the motions and sticking to the script, but He has called us to do more than that. He wants our lives to bear fruit, and the scriptures say that we bear fruit by showing love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23).
If we want people to know Jesus, we could start by simply showing people kindness through our words. If it’s a close friend, tell them how much you love and care for them. If it’s your neighbor, maybe tell them how grateful you are to share a space with them. If it’s another drained mom at the park, tell her, "I get it. I’ve been there too! You can do this!”
In short, speak life.
You could even take it a step further with an act of service. Bring a new mom a meal. Offer to pick up her kids from practice. Mow their lawn. Pray for them, right then and there. Don’t just say, “Praying for you,” actually stop what you are doing and pray over them. Send them a card. Bring someone a coffee.
Go the extra step. Use every chance you get to spread the love of Jesus.
Once the seed has been planted, look for opportunities to water it. Continue to speak life. Tell them about Jesus and what He did for you. Make plans to meet them at church. Invite them to your small group. Schedule a playdate with the mom at the park, get to know your neighbor who plays their music too loud, and invest in your friend who is fighting a battle. The Holy Spirit will do the work, you just have to be the vessel. You can give people a reason to be hopeful.
When you follow through with the statement, “let me know if you need anything,” you are truly being the hands and feet of Jesus. But it all starts with your words.
Make your words mean something.