Actions Speak Louder Than Words

This is a very simple saying that my dad has spoken over me for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I would become upset when he told this to me, but as I have grown up and watched those around me grow up as well I can now see that this is a very accurate statement. Not only are we told that we are loved by our parents, but they show us every day as well. Those around us that we call our friends don't just say that they support us but they show us by championing us to follow our hearts. After we receive a gift, we don't just tell them that we are thankful for it, but we write a thank you note to show them that we are thankful for the thought, time, and effort that they have put into the gift. Jesus tells us that He is going to heal us of all things and then He shows us that His word is true by healing the lopper, the blind man, the nobleman's son, and many others throughout the entire Bible. You can say that you are going to do one thing and then do the total opposite of it, but I can almost guarantee you that your actions are the thing that people are going to remember and be impacted by the most.

Recently I have seen this concept come into play more than once in my life and in the lives of those around me. We are called to love as God loves us. His love is completely unconditional, it has no boundaries and is never limited. With that in mind, why would we limit our love? Even when Jesus was faced with someone that had wronged Him or doubted Him, He still shows them His tender heart and the love that He has for them. This is the kind of love that I work hard to show everyone and anyone. It is not easy every day but on the days that it might be more difficult, I remember all of the sins that God has taken onto Himself for me and this gives me the little boost that I might need to forgive that person one more time or continue to push on when things get tough or even keep believing that that one prayer is going to get answered.

I opened up to Matthew 6 the other day and verse 15 shot out at me. It reads "If you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you." This verse hit me HARD and I think it ties into the saying so many of us have heard or even said before, "do as I say, not as I do." Not going to lie, I kind of really don't like that saying. We need to live our lives in a way that reflects our Heavenly Father right? So why would we say one thing and then go and do another? First off, we aren't being true to our word when we do that, and secondly, aren't we lying to the person that we told that to? Before we say anything or do anything we think about the effects that it could have on ourselves and those around us. So why would we say something that we know we aren't going to do? Why would you say that you are going to do your homework early in the week and then leave it till the night before it is due? That doesn't make the task any less time consuming or any easier. If anything I think it would make it harder than it would have been because we now have the stress of not getting it done weighing on our shoulders as well.

In the same way, our actions can have consequences. Something we say might be different than what someone else believes. The way we approach a situation might be different than the way another person would handle it. If we make the decision to drive 20 MPH over the speed limit, we probably will get pulled over and get a ticket or even get our drivers' license revoked for a certain amount of time. If we choose to pour more of our time and effort and love into one friendship than another, there is a good chance one friendship is going to thrive and the other is going to slowly shrivel up and might even denigrate eventually. The actions that we take in our day to day lives say more to those around us about our true character than a thousand words could ever say. In the same way, the actions of others can say a lot more about how much they value that friendship that their words will ever say. All of us are human. We are not always going to see exactly eye to eye, unfortunately. Each of us has different histories and have gone through different life experiences. Because of this, we must take into account how our actions might look or come across to another person. We must take the time to put on their shoes and try to see the world from their perspective before we close our minds off.

Challenge:

Today as we are halfway through the first week of summer, I challenge you to take time out of your day to reflect on a single situation or multiple situations that you faced throughout the day and think of who was around you and where you were. How do you think that particular situation or conversation looked from the other person's eyes? How was it different from yours? Would you want to change something you said or did if you could go back in time? If so, what would you want to change and why would you change it?

Challenge #2:

Think before you speak. Consider the consequences before you act. Walk a mile or ten in someone else's shoes before you close your mind off to only your thoughts and opinions. Forgive anyone and everyone tenfold more than they would forgive you. Live your life today to reflect the light and glory and truth of God's word and actions.

Today I encourage you to be observant in the things around you. Are the actions the same as the words or are they complete opposites of each other? Guard your heart in everything and anything you do because it holds the key to your future. If someone tells you they love you, wait for them to show you before you fully believe them. Be cautious of the things that you say and ensure that you are staying true to who you are and the words that you say.

Prayer:

Lord, I just thank you for this time today. I lift up each and every person who reads this to you. I pray that these be your words and not mine. I pray that you reveal to every person what they need to hear from this. I thank you for each experience every individual person has walked through and the differences that you have given us all. You are a good good Father and your forgiveness is all we need. Thank you for all you do. Amen