Discomfort and Heat 

“Stick and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” – Every Elementary Aged Child at Least Once.

False. Words can hurt. A lot!

We know there’s power in our words. Just like there’s power in our actions. And when paid attention to, it’s not hard to see how our actions impact our words. And conversely, how our words impact our actions.

For instance, growing up as a child I remember every time I saw green beans I would say “ew!” Because I absolutely despised green beans. It wasn’t until I got a little older and came to the realization of how much I actually really enjoy green beans that I wondered to myself: Have I just convinced myself that I didn’t like them?

Because words have power. And the words we speak shape how we act.

Words have the power to give meaning to something. They have the power to speak life into something (or in the case of green beans, the power to take life from something). They have the power to influence and shape, the power to mold and create.

Speaking ill of something (or someone(s)) over and over again will likely shape how you conceptualize that thing or those people. Whereas speaking with grace and kindness of something (or someone(s)) is bound to lead up to positive encounters with them.

Which is why the words spoken at Jesus’ baptism and the words spoken at your baptism are so important. 

This Sunday, Jan. 15^th, we’ll celebrate the Baptism of the Lord Sunday (Mark 1:7-11). In this passage, we read of Jesus’ baptism and we’ll hear the words that God the Father spoke to Jesus as he began his public ministry.

And while maybe not the exact same words spoken at your baptism, the content is the same. It’s a message that can be boiled down to three life-changing, life-altering words I pray at some point you’ve heard: I love you.

Join us in worship this Sunday to remember your baptism and hear the good news that you are a beloved child of God.

Blessings & Peace,

Rev. Taylor