The power of one Word....

"Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me," goes the childish chant.  Of course, we all know that could not be more wrong.  Words have the power to wound the inner place no weapon could ever reach, to poison the heart and soul so deeply that they cannot heal.  Words also have the power to uplift and encourage, nourishing the bits and pieces of our self-esteem that remain after life has shredded and scattered them on the ground before us.

There are many words which, all on their own, can take our breath away, or leave us crushed and broken.  Beautiful, brilliant, funny, sweet, generous - all words that make us feel good about ourselves when someone applies them to us.  Ugly, stupid, hateful, mean, uncharitable, spiteful - if we are labeled this way, it is hard to overcome the negative implications.

When someone we care about expresses their love for us, the power of that single word can wipe away the pain of loss, of sorrow, of hurt, of despair.  Love is a universally understood feeling, the subject of poetry, song, and painting.  Love has it's own holiday, it's own color, it's own symbolism.  We use love to sell everything from after shave to diamond rings, and looking for love is a billion dollar industry.

John 1:1 tells us,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (TNIV)

As overwhelming as love can be, there is no word more powerful than the incarnate Word of God, the Savior who sacrificed himself for our eternal salvation.  Although he was cursed at, tortured and a spear pierced his side, Jesus, The Word of God made flesh, did not abandon us to the fearful fate we deserved.  That was the greatest of act of love of all time, the final proof that God can overcome anything.

Jesus accepted the heart of the condemned man hanging next to him on the cross because of the understanding he expressed through his words.  Come to him with your words, pray for forgiveness from whatever is keeping you from his power, and ask for the peace that only God can bestow upon your life.  From the manger to the cross, Jesus is the Word that leads us out of the darkness of sin and into the light of eternal salvation.  Open your heart, and find the gift of love that has already been given for you.

This is the week of the Passion of Christ.  Partake in The Word, listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and  let God find you where you are.

Blessings to you as you travel the final steps to the cross where Christ left your sins behind.  The King who rode in triumph on a donkey will be found at the cross, where the Word of God died for you.  This week we celebrate the true reason for the season - Rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is risen.