This week's Theme: Fountains and Streams
Day 1: Take words with you
“Use your words, mom!”
A dear one laughed as she spoke about this frequent admonition from her son whenever she would distractedly trail off in the middle of a conversation. I laughed, remembering my own teenage impatience as my mother or my aunt made requests or gave instructions that ended up in vague references to “the thing”. Or more [im]precisely, “de ting”.
This Caribbean peculiarity created many a sigh in the souls of children. “Hand de ting gi’ me,” might be an instruction, and the child would have to wait for clarification on exactly what “thing” they were supposed to fetch. And yes, more often than not distraction would be the culprit as the adults in our midst handled a million tasks simultaneously (the original multi-taskers!).
But the fallback to “ting” goes beyond the particulars of any given circumstances. Somewhat similar to the way the word “jawn” is used in Philadelphia, it is part of a cultural reliance on a word to convey any and everything (every ting!):
“I get de ting, thanks,” or “thanks for de ting” –in response to a gift.
When yo’ bringing “de ting” –in response to an unfulfilled order or promise.
“You love ting, eh!” –in response to someone stirring up conflict.
We can usually (laughingly or impatiently) navigate our way around these quirks in casual conversation, but we also understand the need for specific, precise, messages in most major areas of interaction. “Tings” and “jawns” have their place, but unrestricted use would lead to massive chaos and confusion.
The weighty impact of communication is a common theme in Scripture. God teaches us much about the power of words. Jesus, who is Himself the very Word that spoke all that is into existence, gave a sobering warning to the Pharisees:
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:33-37)
Jesus very often directed reproof at hypocrisy, and the misuse of words— empty, idle words inconsistent with action— words designed to manipulate, abuse, and control. But words, He showed, are only a symptom of the state of the heart. Matthew Henry explains it this way in his commentary:
“The heart is the fountain, words are the streams. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must send forth muddy and unpleasant streams.”
In our times, too, we see much misuse of words — never-ending streams of flattery, cajoling, manipulating. Scripted messages dripping honeyed inconsistencies, or trumpeting glaring lies over politics, government, business, service, advertising, religious activity...
But God still addresses the heart of those who profess belief in Him, directing us away from the treacherous streams of worldly philosophies, earthly power, compromised means, rationalized deviances, and justified ends. He still warns us against the arrogant belief that we can accomplish a heavenly mission with earthly means, earthly power: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6).
He still calls us from the hypocrisy that enforces standards on others that we do not ourselves uphold. He still calls us to a repentance that is deeper than mere words. The timeless message to His people through the prophet Hosea is as relevant for us today:
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips (Hosea 14:2).
In urging a lost, disoriented, beaten down, reeling people to return to the shelter of their God, the prophet needed to instruct them in the attitude of genuine and sincere repentance God desires. For far too often had the people of God come to Him with lips that seemed eager to seek Him out, but with hearts full of rebellion (Isaiah 58:1-2).
Jesus was clear that empty and idle words— the "tings" and "jawns" of lip-service religion that trail into nothingness, or dance in endless circles of meaninglessness, are "bad fruit", and have no influence with God. Genuine remorse— the godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10) — is never about the outward.
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;" David prayed after his open-eyed plunge into adultery and murder. "You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise" (Psalm 51:16-17).
"Use your words," God calls His people. "Humble your hearts." "Return to Me, and I will return to You" (Zechariah 1:3).
And that, will be "a good ting", "the best ting", "the only ting" to bring us to the shelter of our God.
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