So what is it?
Well, it's based on a verse from the Bible, a verse found in the Old Testament.
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."
The words we speak to each other and to ourselves are full of power. We choose what kind of power they'll have -- will they bring life or will they bring death?
Will our words hurt or heal?
Will our words encourage or criticize?
Will our words be loving or hateful?
We were created in in the image of God -- the Creator who creates with words. Everything God has and continues to create begins with a word from Him. Hebrews 11:3 says, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible."
Here's the Word Challenge: use your words this holiday season to build people up; to love others; to encourage; to share eternal truths; to bring joy and love into a relationship that possibly isn't the best it could be.
Yes, I know. You have some odd relatives (or maybe you're the odd relative -- I'm pretty sure I''m the odd relative). You have people in your family who have done things you wish they hadn't. You have people in your family who have hurt you or who you can't talk to. There are people you have hurt and you just don't know how to fix it.
We all have things in our past we wish weren't there. We have struggles with family members we wish could be different. This is life. This kind of stuff is part of family life. It isn't why we are a family, but when you put a bunch of humans together who have relationships wtih each other it gets messy. Relationships are messy. They aren't neat and tidy like we believe they should be.
The Word Challenge won't be easy. It wouldn't be a challenge then. It's going to take courage. It's going to take you being vulnerable at times (there is such transformative power when we courageously are vulnerable).
Make some good memories. Get past yourself. Love, love, love. Choose not to be offended. You know, we choose to be offended when we are. Sure, there are times it's very easy to get offended, but Jesus never got offended (and still doesn't).
Wil you take the Word Challenge?
Will you be intentional in your conversations?
Will you choose not to fly off the handle and instead show restraint?
Will you choose to be bold in your love rather than timid?
This is my prayer for all us.