Mark and I have been intently reading Timothy Keller's church planting manual. Among many helpful topics he writes about loving the city to which you are called. We have been praying that God would give us a deep love for the people and the city of Arlington. A huge part of loving the people and the city is speaking well of them. God's words are omnipotent, and because we are made is His image, our words are potent. What we say about people and places matters. We are therefore intentionally, actively, speaking statements of blessing over the people in Arlington.
Examples...
Fail: People in Arlington are workaholics.
Blessing: People in Arlington are committed and driven. They are focused and successful in their jobs.
Fail: People in Arlington are overly concerned with appearances.
Blessing: People in Arlington have an eye for aesthetics and appreciate beautiful things.
Fail: People in Arlington are intellectual elitists.
Blessing: People in Arlington welcome an intellectual challenge. They are bright and insightful.
The later statements could be followed up with.... and they love Jesus with all their hearts, souls, and minds. The blessing statements are redeemed versions of the fail statements. It is not sinful to be successful. It is not sinful to appreciate beauty. It is not sinful to be smart. It is only when what we do, what we see, and what we think about terminates on self or stuff and not Savior that it becomes sinful.
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2 comments:
Sister, you are a wordsmith. I can't think of a better person to be in Arlington. You are fabulously gorgeous even in yoga pants and a portico tee and are quite the intellect! I could use some words of blessing over Cville, good reminder.
That about sums it up! Arlington provides many a distraction from what people are really feeling inside. What they really want is purpose. The Lord hand picked you sister!
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