Talking Too Much? Maybe not....
I hope you all had a meaningful Thanksgiving. We did as we enjoyed turkey and time with our family in Dauphin. It was there that my idea for this next blog came. At the church we attended on Sunday morning, the pastor spoke on a familiar passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19. That's not surprising for a Thanksgiving sermon. But what struck me as I was listening to the sermon was how MUCH we, as Christians, are to talk!!!
Now talking too much has always been an issue for me. I remember back in elementary school that it was the only thing I got in trouble for. Although I was a good student, inevitably, every year, I would get moved from the spot I chose to sit (next to all my friends) to a spot that was entirely surrounded by boys. It was the teacher's hope that I would be quieted by having no one to talk to around me except boys. Whether it was that she thought they talked less and therefore would interact with me less or that I wouldn't talk with them because I didn't have many of the same interests they did, her attempts were futile.... I still talked!
So, imagine my delight on Sunday morning when it hit me - we are suppose to be talking all the time as we obey the commands listed in 1 Thes. 5. (Taken from NKJV)
vs 16: Rejoice always
vs 17: pray without ceasing
vs 18: in everything give thanks
Now I know we don't have to do all these things out loud but it does cause me to pause a moment and think about all those words that are coming out of my mouth: are they praise? prayers? words of gratitude? Are some of them? And the ones that aren't, are they "good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers?" (Eph 4:29 NKJV) May it be so for you and me.
Now talking too much has always been an issue for me. I remember back in elementary school that it was the only thing I got in trouble for. Although I was a good student, inevitably, every year, I would get moved from the spot I chose to sit (next to all my friends) to a spot that was entirely surrounded by boys. It was the teacher's hope that I would be quieted by having no one to talk to around me except boys. Whether it was that she thought they talked less and therefore would interact with me less or that I wouldn't talk with them because I didn't have many of the same interests they did, her attempts were futile.... I still talked!
So, imagine my delight on Sunday morning when it hit me - we are suppose to be talking all the time as we obey the commands listed in 1 Thes. 5. (Taken from NKJV)
vs 16: Rejoice always
vs 17: pray without ceasing
vs 18: in everything give thanks
Now I know we don't have to do all these things out loud but it does cause me to pause a moment and think about all those words that are coming out of my mouth: are they praise? prayers? words of gratitude? Are some of them? And the ones that aren't, are they "good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers?" (Eph 4:29 NKJV) May it be so for you and me.
You put a smile on my face...yes, you like to talk! And I am glad you are spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteLeeanne
Hi Leeanne,
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for someone to comment on my enjoyment of talking! I just need to balance my talking with my memory verse from way back May 3rd blog) "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:19-20)
Tracy
hehe, yes talking is good! I guess I really have to be careful about what I'm talking about (lately work stresses seems to always be the first thing popping out of my mouth), your questions really got me thinking.... keep up the blogging!
ReplyDelete