Tonight, I watched a move from last year. I am not one that would normally watch a sad movie, or one that I know has parts that would probably make me cry. However, I am one that cries very easily... so, I decided to watch this one.
In the movie, I Heard the Bells, I was stirred... Longfellow's wife drew a sketch and left it in the window by his writing desk, and due to tragedy he stops writing for some time, so he doesn't see it for probably a couple of years. At the bottom of the sketch, she wrote the question, "How long will you sleep, my poet?"
It stirred something in my heart, though.
In the movie, he didn't write for a couple/few years. He let his gift "sleep".
What are things that can "derail" me? Sadness, depression, hurt, frustration, all can. However sometimes it is as simple as life changes, not sleeping well, and they are just what I can think of, at the moment.
I am not saying I have been depressed- but I have been busy, the normal schedule I had been used to has changed up some, and a few other things. These can all be overwhelming.
I enjoyed the times when I would sit and process through the thoughts from happenings during the day (or night.
It has been too long since I sat down to do that.
It has been too long since I have processed through thoughts I've jotted down.
So, watching this movie tonight they spoke about the church bell having fallen from the bell tower, and it is implied that the church bells are the voice of the church- or that was what I heard anyway. Then the thought was this... has my voice been ringing? Have I been the voice of the church? Have I been speaking words of encouragement and life?
Jesus said that He only spoke what the Father spoke. Am I careful with my words?
Are my words filled with life? Do they encourage others? Do they build others up?
Psalm 141: 3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the doors of my lips!"
Ephesians 4: 29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Proverbs 18: 21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 16: 24 "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
James 3: 9-10 "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."
Not only should I be careful of what I speak to others, but also to (and over) myself. My words are powerful and when I hear the words I am saying they cause a reaction in my body.
Like the words in Toby Mac's song, "Speak life, speak life, to the deadest darkest night; Speak life, speak life, what the sun won't shine and you don't know why; Look into the eyes of the broken hearted, Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak... You speak life."
Lord, forgive me for allowing the gift you have given me to sleep. Forgive me for allowing things to get in the way of speaking/writing what You are showing me. I ask that You do keep a guard over my lips, and not let any corrupt/empty words come from my mouth. Help my words to be words of life that will build others up. Help them to be words filled with life, that bring health to me and to others. I want to speak what I hear You saying. Thank you for helping me to be Your voice to those around me.
I recently watched that movie for the first time. It was “ shaking”!!out of the depths of his sorrow he wrote. He shared his gift. I began to ask if we have any such poets today. No one could think of a modern day poet like him. Retirement can truly make the phrase it is a new day like a mountain. I might suggest to walk up it slowly gazing at the goodness of God. Love what you write.
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