Given the state of the world this year, I was looking forward to the Christmas season and creating a space in my home that would allow me to escape (or do I be honest and say ignore) reality a bit. The weekend after Thanksgiving I did just that. I unpacked my decorations and put everything in its usual place – the red holly wreaths on the front door and walls, garland along the bookcase, stars hanging from the ceiling, and the stocking holders that spell PEACE lined the ledge in my dining area. You get it. The house was all decked out.
Well, it had only been a week into my holiday oasis when our home was disrupted. Our main sewer line was busted. That meant all outgoing water could not drain out. You guessed it, we couldn’t even flush our toilets – let alone wash dishes, clothes, or our bodies. In a matter of hours, we had to find a hotel and there our household would stay for the next two weeks. Gratefully, our family and I returned home the day before my son’s birthday.
Sparing you all the sorted and unpleasant details, just know there were several hiccups along the way before settling back in, one of which was the plumber forgetting to put the cap on the sewer pipe in our home. That meant the next day the entire house was filled with sewer gases. By this time, I was saying to God, “But this is my home!”
So, after that whole ordeal – after the professional sanitation company cleaned up, after washing all drapes and clothes, after disinfecting surfaces, and the list goes on, I realize this experience brings to light this scriptural passage: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1)
If you took a picture of my home when we experienced the plumbing issues, you would think what a lovely space with all of the Christmas decor. However, our home was ineffective. It didn’t serve the functions we needed. We could not wash anything or use the bathroom. To top it off, when things were at its worst, there was a stench.
Aren’t we the same way when we don’t speak in love? We may look good – we decorate ourselves with cute outfits, hairstyles, and look like we are serving the purposes of God. However, when we are careless (or worst, hurtful) with our words, we are ineffective. Instead of building people up, we are cutting them down. Instead of offering God a sweet aroma of praise, our words stink before God. And, as the holy temple for God’s spirit, God is saying, “But you are My home!”
The good news is, just like the sanitation workers, God can clean hearts and renew a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10). So that out of the abundance of our hearts, we’ll speak words that will give life and hope to others (Matthew 12:34). As we go through the purification (sanctification) process, let’s make a commitment to be intentional with our words.