Careless Words

Several months ago, our congregation held an evangelistic series.

A well-known evangelist came to town, and I looked forward to hearing him. However, before the meetings began, our pastor asked for volunteers to help with the children’s program. So I decided to volunteer. As I walked into the room that first evening and looked around, I noticed a mannequin dressed like someone from Bible times.

It was Jesus. We were instructed to make sure that none of the children played on the stage near the mannequin during the meetings. Finally, the children began to arrive. By the time we started, about fifty five-year-olds filled the room.

We sang together, told stories, and enjoyed making crafts and eating snacks. As the meeting wrapped up and parents came to collect their children, I stayed behind to clean up. The few children that remained played quietly near the stage.

A little five-year-old boy walked up to the mannequin.

“Is that Jesus?” he asked. We assured him that it was.

Inquisitively, he reached out to touch Him. I did not realize how fragile the mannequin was. In a moment, at the lightest touch, it fell to the floor in pieces.

“Oh no, Ben!” someone called out. “You killed Jesus!” Ben looked horrified and then burst into tears. He was inconsolable. The teacher who had spoken those careless words so quickly now realized what she had said as she witnessed the impact of her words. She hurried over to comfort the child. It was a difficult task to convince him that he had not really killed Jesus. As God’s children, we need to be careful of the words we speak.

Though we may not intend to wound others by what we say, words spoken in haste can have a devastating effect on those who hear them.

Our tongues should be used in uplifting and encouraging those around us, not in careless words or thoughtless gossip. We are fortunate that our God is not as fragile as the mannequin. We can be confident that He will not fall apart when we reach out to Him in prayer.

We can safely cling to Him. He will always be near to strengthen, guide, and provide the courage we need to finish the race.

Carey Pearson