Today I have been
thinking about Words. Yes, words. Funny topic, when that is all I can produce
from this keyboard of mine, when that is all you get to read from me this
sitting, all my mind swirls with most of the day, all my poor little mouth can
generate for me.
Facebook, full words,
got the best of me today. I was reading a post by the local newspaper—it told
me that FIFA had suspended Christine Sinclair for a few games because she
complained about a referee following the ever-famous Canadian-U.S. Olympic
soccer game. The newspaper asked if the followers thought it was fair. And
really, what were they expecting people to say??? Was it worth even reading the
responses? But something in the back of my mind caused me to read the
responses—something that told me, maybe FIFA was on to something.
Before you think I am
crazy, let me tell you I DID watch the game!!! I saw what those refs were
doing!!! Don’t think for a minute that I wasn’t sympathizing with those
Canadian gals! But in between all the people sharing—or should I say that they
were pulling out the “what about freedom of speech” line and bashing FIFA quite
harshly—there in between all of that, was a comment that resonated with what my
gut was gurgling around. A paraphrase of what a certain commenter said was
this: he said it was fair. He pointed out that, yes, it was a poorly refereed
game, but that athletes are taught to just play the game and show
sportsmanship. He pointed out that Sinclair is a role model for kids across
Canada and that those little ones (and can I also add, maybe the big ones too)
need to know that it is not okay to challenge a ref. He asked if we wanted to
give athletes—or parents for that matter—the okay to “give it” to the refs.
Maybe this resonated with me because one of
my “friends” had posted only a few spots down a video about bullying and what
the words of some “too cool” middle school students did to the life of young
girl. She’s no longer on this earth to tell about it.
And then a few posts later was a question
asking if followers thought the school districts were doing enough to stop
bullying. And I was appalled by the language used and attitudes portrayed in
some of these replies!
And then I got to thinking about what
freedom of speech really means. And I don’t think it means we can say whatever
we want whenever we want to and to whom ever we want.
Believe me: I am a gal with opinions! When
I was younger I spoke these opinions all too quickly. I still do. I’m learning
the art of thinking first. I’m learning to use some intelligence and
understanding first, because words are all too powerful, and I’m not sure we
always know how to use them or receive them correctly. So I need to learn.
I could read the book of James daily just
to learn a little bit about wisdom and my words. A very key thought for me
comes from James
3:10: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should
not be.”
And Proverbs—I could spend hours studying
that one, too!
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take
note of this: 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.
Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge uses
words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
James
3:8-17
. . .but
no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With
the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have
been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My
brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the
same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Who is
wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds
done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and
selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such
“wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the
devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder
and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.
Proverbs
12:18
Reckless
words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Although everything in me wants to side with the fact that the
refs acted poorly and that justice should be done—I want to side with the
complaints!—I am also called to act a life worthy of Christ. Although I want to
be “political” and boast in my freedom of speech, I am also called to remember
the millions of kids in schools today who are wounded by the words so freely
tossed out both on a whim or with the intention to hurt that scar so deeply.
Although I want to be a popular voice for those feeling injustice soaked up by
the media, I am also called to relentless love for those whom the heart of
Jesus is breaking for—those truly feeling the pangs of injustice and the
wrong-doings of inequality.
I’m convinced that there is a right way—a wise way—to voice your
opinion or belief. I don’t want to be a person known to “give it.” I don’t what
to raise children who think it is okay to toss around words so lightly. I don’t
want the world to see just another complainer. I believe that the words that emerge
from my life have to reflect the One Greater than I who IS the Word. And
because of that, I need to use caution, care and persistent wisdom, so that my
tongue doesn’t act as a sword, but as light and salt.
We were a little late in seeing it the first time (we missed some of the "
