Conversations

Conversations are interesting things if you think about them.  You could find yourself in a place where you might be struggling with some challenges in your life and someone comes along and speaks a few words to you and all-of-a-sudden you just feel better.

Just words, breath forming sounds really, that's all words are.  And yet they have the power to genuinely change your persepctive on things; they have the power to bring hope to your soul where there once was little.  But it must be said that it is not only words that make the difference, because a "conversation" is not just about words.  To truly have a conversation is to be sharing words with someone who is speaking with a sincerity and concern about you.  When you are in a conversation, you are exchanging ideas, care, love: there is a sense of being in the presence of someone who is really listening to you not just what you are saying.  A conversation goes deeper than just words.

I was blessed the other day to have a conversation.  I wasn't expecting it but after it was over my heart had changed.  I didn't realize it but there were some things that had put barriers around my heart and after I hung up the phone I felt freedom where I didn't before.  I could tell that something had let go in my spirit because I was able to receive all kinds of fresh thoughts and ideas from God.  It felt so good!  I was blessed.

Words can have impact for sure, but it seems to me that a conversation invites you to go to places of redemption and healing that words alone cannot accomplish.

It is probably not an exaggeration to say that Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is one of the most transformational presentations out there.  It is a powerful explanation of God's heart.  But in Matthew 5:1 there is something else that caught my eye, and it has to do with having a conversation.  If you read it says that "he [Jesus] went up on a mountainside and sat down."  Jesus' disciples came to him there and he began to teach them, but only after Jesus had sat down.  This is important: Jesus took the time to stop and really give of himself.  He not only wanted to communicate words, because he knew that having a conversation required more--he needed to sit and let them know that He was committed.

I think the impact of Jesus' conversation with his disciples is pretty clear.  Jesus has said to us in John 13:15 that he has set an example for us and we should imitate what he has done.  It's time we "sat down" with others and had conversations with them, listening to them and speaking truth in love. 

Lord, I ask that today we would be reminded by your Holy Spirit to take the time needed to sit and have a conversation with someone in need.  May you change our hearts to imitate Jesus and may your Kingdom come in power as we do so.

BT