The Volumes!

WORDS! We use them every day. Through the course of a day we engage ourselves in many conversations by a number of means. Whether our WORDS are conveyed verbally in face to face encounters, by use of e-mail, phone, or text-messaging, how significant is the volume we produce? Someone has noted that statisticians have determined the average person spends at least one-fifth of their life talking. From this understanding it has been suggested this word usage could add up to an amount sufficient to fill a fifty page book in a single day’s conversations. In one year the average person’s words could fill one hundred thirty-two books of four hundred pages each. What a library could be created! However, how much of it would actually be worth reading?

Our Lord -- at the age of about thirty years old ( Luke 3:23) -- began His public ministry spanning about three years. Would we agree that what He did during that time was significant? Would we also agree that the WORDS He spoke were significant?

John stated. . .
“(30) Now Jesus did MANY OTHER SIGNS in the presence of the disciples, which are NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK; (31) but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” ( John 20:30-31 ESV)

Then at the very end of this gospel he wrote…
“(25) Now there are also MANY OTHER THINGS THAT JESUS DID. WERE EVERY ONE OF THEM TO BE WRITTEN, I SUPPOSE THAT THE WORLD ITSELF COULD NOT CONTAIN THE BOOKS THAT WOULD BE WRITTEN.” ( John 21:25 ESV)

Along with our Lord’s actions it is likely we also do not have recorded all the verbal encounters He had with others. Imagine all the conversations that must have taken place as Jesus walked with His disciples from place to place. Add to that all the conversations that took place around meals shared and throughout the daily encounters He had with people. Still, what is recorded for our reading is of great significance. His teachings were seen as amazing. ( Matthew 7:28-29) Even the officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Him observed, “NO ONE EVER SPOKE LIKE THIS MAN!” ( John 7:46) Lives were changed as they continue to also be changed today when His life and teachings are received.

With all the volume that may pass through our lips, how much of it is truly significant? Certainly it is nice to hang out and spend some time talking about lighter things. However, as we consider the volume of our words, let us seize the opportunities to introduce others to “THE WORD” ( John 1:14) Who became flesh and dwelt among mankind. May we never forget about the most important subject matter relating to our eternal destiny that needs to be shared!

Have a great day SHELVING SOME OF OUR TALK AND SHARING MORE OF OUR LORD’S STORY!
Carl

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