Words matter and have the power to create and influence culture.
We all understand and know how deeply words, whether positive or negative, can affect the way we perceive and feel about ourselves.
Throughout history, words have been used to communicate and bring about movements for the good (the Civil Rights movement) and for evil (the political Nazi movement led by Adolf Hitler) that have forever changed the world.
As a youth minister, I know and understand how my words can be a catalyst in helping youth grow as followers of Christ. Now, I’m not saying that everything is riding on my shoulders (that would a major load to carry), but, what I am saying, is that, as an adult who mentors teenagers in spiritual matters, what I say can and will have a lasting impact.
This past Sunday was known as the “Baptism of the Lord Sunday” or “Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.” This is a special Sunday where Christians all over the world reflect upon the baptism of Jesus and remember our own baptisms. In all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), we read that after Jesus was baptized a voice came from heaven that said, “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life” (The Message). WOW! Such beautiful words! At the beginning of his ministry, this is the message Jesus hears; these are words that spark the greatest movement in history. After Jesus hears this affirmation from the Father, as Richard Rohr states, “You can’t stop him.”
As we minister to youth in our churches and in our communities, this is the message we must proclaim:
“You are a beloved son and daughter of God”;
and, not just a baptism and confirmation, but at every opportunity.
For many children and youth, they rarely, if ever, hear words of affirmation from their parents or other adults. For some, all they hear is a message of negativity and criticism.
We, as the church, have the greatest news to share, and, I believe, when we speak love into the lives of teenager;
When we proclaim just how important they are to God and us;
When the foundation of the the spiritual journey is the Good News of the Gospel;
When we breath these life-giving words over them,
world-changing movements will happen;
For, in these words, our true identity as beloved children of God is found and we all are forever changed.