The power of words By Claire Musters

I know that we are very aware of how powerful our words are – that our spoken words have the power to change someone’s day, literally, when they either bring encouragement or cut the person down.

But I was struck again by the power behind what us writers do at a gig this week. On Tuesday I spent the evening at the O2 Academy in Islington, watching Lauren Daigle play a spectacular set with her incredible musicians and singers. They were a very small group of people, but boy did they pack a punch!

What was noticeable, however, is that Lauren didn’t actually specifically say anything about her faith in between songs. But the sense of the Holy Spirit was strong – people were worshipping all around, even though we were packed in with little wriggle room. It was then that it hit me: the lyrics to her songs often literally drip with truth – about who God is and who we are in him. The way that he fights for us, upholds us and shows us who he is was declared, loudly, throughout the evening. Not through a preach – but through the creativity of a gifted songwriter.

So today I want to remind and encourage us all – whether we simply write for ourselves, write regularly for Christian publications or write fiction purposefully for wider circles. Whether we are explicit about our faith in our writing or not:

Our words matter. 

They are powerful – and we are called by an even more powerful God. 

So I'd like to finish by praying for us:

Lord God I thank you for the creativity that you have placed inside of us.

I thank you that words spring up from within us; we can do nothing to stop them – nor would we want to.

I pray that we will sense your pleasure as we write – and your direction.

May we never lose the wonder of the privilege that it is to use the talent that you have blessed us with to reach others with our words.

Help us to be aware of the responsibility that comes with such opportunity, but also not to be paralysed by that. 

I pray that words that bring life will flow from us today – not only in our writing, but also in our speech.

Amen.

Claire is a freelance writer, speaker and editor, mum to two gorgeous children, pastor’s wife, worship leader and school governor. 

Her books include Taking off the mask: daring to be the person God created you to be, Cover to Cover: Ezekiel A prophet for all times, Cover to Cover: 1–3 John Walking in the truth, Cover to Cover: David: A man after God's own heart, Insight Into Managing Conflict, Insight Into Self-acceptance and Insight Into Burnout. 

Her latest edition to the Insight Guides series, An Insight into Shame, was published this month. She also writes Bible study notes and magazine articles. 

To find out more about her, please visit www.clairemusters.com  and @CMusters on Twitter.