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Monday, August 10

The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
—Proverbs 16:1

We are constantly making plans.  Plans about what we’re going to do, who we’re going to see, what steps we’re going to take to complete a project.  We get frustrated when our plans are foiled, and feel as buoyant as a jack-in-the-box when our plans are accomplished with success. 

Imagine how we would feel if our mind was unable to devise plans. Life would seem purposeless and empty.  As busy as our plans sometimes keep us, we would as easily part with a limb as relinquish the ability to plan and create. Planning is part and parcel of what it is to be human.

When it comes to our words, however, we are in the hands of heaven. This means that the power of words is so strong, that we simply cannot handle them alone. We need the co-operation and aid of God to speak the right word, the clear word, the holy word, the creative word, the loving word.

When we are quick to rattle off the next string of words that flows into our brain, we assume that we are in control of what we say or do not say. In truth, God speaks through us. God answers the world through our tongue. We are the repository of the grace that is meant to be spoken into the world. It is an enormous task and a humbling gift. 

The next time your boss gives you another useless task, or the bank tells you you’re overdrawn, or you are given bad news, or someone near you needs cheering up, let God touch your tongue and speak the words that will change the world.

Gracious God, may my tongue be your mouthpiece of love to the world.