Doing Things That MatterSample

"LEAD COURAGEOUSLY – PART TWO"

It may sound like Captain Obvious to say that our words matter, but I’m not convinced that we really believe that. I say that because we spend a lot of time talking about things that don’t matter. Some of us love to talk about sports, in fact, some of us have passionate conversations about sports every day. Others constantly complain about people or how busy they are. Then there’s that parent that will never shut up about their perfect kids! 

In Luke 6, Jesus says that the mouth says what the heart feels. In other words…we talk about the things that matter to us. Think about it this way; if someone were to meticulously track your words and chart the subject matter that you like to talk about…what would be revealed that matters to you? Would it be gossip? Small talk about the weather or sports? Conversations that revolve around yourself? Where would Jesus, faith, and God’s mission rank in the subjects that matter to you?

Perhaps, that is an unfair way to think about it. Perhaps, just because many us don’t talk about Jesus or our faith as much as we should; well, that doesn't mean those things don’t matter to us. Fair enough! If we love Jesus, but struggle to talk about him then I must conclude that we simply lack the courage to talk about what matters most to us! 

For many of us I believe it’s fair to say that Jesus needs a little more volume in your life. He shouldn’t be a rare sighting in your public life! There’s a story in Acts where Peter and John are told to quit talking about Jesus and they respond by proclaiming that they can’t quit talking about what they’ve seen and heard! There are many times in life where courage is required to speak! Some of our greatest potential as leaders lie within the power of our words – they have the power of life and death.

Will you have the courage to speak about the things that truly matter?