Words with Friends. For some of you, you read that and you immediately think of your phone. Right?

For those of you who are smiling right now…you know what I am talking about. For those who aren’t smiling, wondering what I am talking about…it’s a game. It is a game that is primarily played by most anyone that finds themselves addicted to their smart phones and other devices. Simply put, it is Scrabble™. You play with friends, digitally, over the Internet.

Whether you are a Words with Friends™ addict (I once read a tweet that stated, “Words with Friends™ should be the 6^th love language”), or you have ever played a game of Scrabble™, there is a common denominator…”words”. Every word is worth something. Each letter has a point value, and combined with creativity and an extensive vocabulary, you can use some words that score some serious points. Often I find myself almost strategizing which words to play now, and which words to save, because “if I can just get one more letter”, I will triple my point value.

I wonder what conversations and relationships would look like if we applied that same thought to our lives?

A few months ago when reading Genesis 27 and trying to make sense of the lives of Jacob and Esau, I began to recognize how worthless I treat my own words.

In chapter 27 of Genesis we find Isaac (Son of Abraham & father of Jacob and Esau), recognizing he is nearing the end of his days. As he was, he did not want to leave this earth without first giving his son, Esau, his blessing. After all, Esau was the oldest, and traditionally speaking, the eldest was to be blessed and would often inherit the wealth, land, flock, etc. of the father. Well, to make a long story short, Esau’s sneaky brother, and mama’s boy, Jacob, stole the blessing from Esau. Isaac was deceived and spoke a verbal blessing over Jacob (thinking it was Esau). When Esau returned home from a hunt he had been sent out on, he found out that Isaac had given the blessing to Jacob and was rightfully upset. He went to his father and told him how Jacob had fooled him into thinking he (Jacob) was actually Esau.

Are you still tracking with me?

The way I explain it can be more confusing than an episode of LOST.

Moses does a better job with the story. So, if you’re confused go and read the chapter then come back and finish this.

Isaac replies, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” (Gen. 27:35) And this is the part of the story where I would’ve said, “So what? Just give me the blessing now. It’s just words. All you did was speak some words to him, so now, just speak those words to me and take back the words you spoke to him.” Great idea, right?

As you read the rest of the chapter you recognize that my response is not how the chapter plays out. Why is that? 

Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”

Isaac recognized the importance of his words. I think even greater than the importance of his own words he recognized that his words were words shared before the Lord. The Lord did not create in us the ability to communicate through sound just so that we could tickle the ears of those who hear what they want to hear. I tend to believe it is so that we may glorify and worship Him as well as declare truth to others.

Our words hold weight. Our words are not meant to be thrown around with no meaning. How can we rightfully expect a family member or friend to truly hear what we have to say, if ever before they had been a witness to us throwing words around as if they were nothing more than the dirt under our shoes?

How often do we just throw words around?

How often do we say one thing to person A then something completely different and/or contradicting to person B?

How often do we speak when God simply wants us to be silent and listen?

How often do we sit silent and listen when God wants us to speak?

How often do we say, “I absolutely love those shoes…that band…this movie.”? Then the very next sentence is “I absolutely love God.”?

Do our words hold any significance?

This can all be very confusing to not only our non-believing friends but also the body of Christ.

Here is what I have been challenged with over the last 3 years. When I speak, do I truly mean what I say?

Do I waste my words?

Am I mindful of what I am actually saying and how I am saying it?

I desire to be a man of God in all areas of my life. In my worship and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In my love for His children, both lost and found. More than ever now, I desire to be a man of God in my words.

I remember my Uncle telling me a story of a certain Pastor who wrote his messages down, word for word, every Sunday and read his messages. Regardless of your opinion of a Pastor reading messages during a gathering, this particular Pastor’s reasoning for doing so was heavy. The heartbeat for his conviction to write his messages down should be my very heartbeat every time I open my mouth, whether I am preaching to a group of believers or in simple conversation with anyone. This Pastor’s conviction for writing his messages down was this:  He felt that he needed to write every word down, because he felt lead by the Lord to make sure that no single word is to be wasted when standing before Him and His people. This too, seems to be the heart of Isaac in Genesis 27 when Esau begins to plead and beg for his father to “Bless me-me also, O my father!”

I want to encourage you to maybe take some time and think about your words. Take a drive, a walk, go for a run, find a quiet room, hit up your favorite coffee shop. Wherever you spend your greatest time sitting before the Lord, go there. When you get there ask the Lord to reveal to you whether or not your words with friends, family, and strangers are words of integrity; truth; words of serious weight; words that truly mean something to you; or are your words with friends simply another game you play?

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Nathan Blank is the Young Adult pastor at Little Country Church in Redding, CA. 

I’ve known Charlie since high school… An amazing father, husband, brother, and friend. A man I truly hope to be like when I am given the opportunity to raise a family and love a spouse. Before taking his current role as Operations Director for MCI (http://bit.ly/kgDkTA), Charlie was running operations for The Resurgence (http://bit.ly/Gmkm). I am stoked to have him as a guest today on the blog. Enjoy! 

Christian friends, we need to say ‘no’ more. Always saying ‘yes’, while appearing gracious, is often a guilt-driven response that comes from a lack of calling or purpose, rather than your godliness. 

First, let me clear something up. We must serve the local-church body (1st Cor 12:27) and respond to obvious injustice (Jer 22:16-17). These are Biblically-mandate obligations, not opportunities. But you know that pang of guilt you feel when you consider saying ‘no’ to the missionary fundraising letter, or Sunday-school volunteer e-mail? That’s what I am talking about. Agreeing to even seemingly good opportunities limits you’re ability to be involved with great ones. 

Each person has God-given passions, gifts and responsibilities - and 24 short hours in a day to steward them all. Don’t shotgun spray your time, money and energy in every direction hoping to hit some good. Aim for the greatest good, where your skills and passions intersect with visible need. When you’re involved in areas God has specifically prepared you for, you’ll experience a feeling of limitless energy, enthusiasm and success because participating in your calling is the most life-giving thing you can do.    

Friends, don’t confuse busyness with faithfulness. Lacking clear direction because you have an undeveloped plan for your life is not faithful at all. It’s reactionary service that undermines ambition and effectiveness.

Look at the Apostle Paul and Jesus:  

• Ephesians 3:1 “For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles…” (Paul has literally chained himself to a very specific mission, leaving no room for other, distracting ones).
• In John 6:38-40, Jesus says his purpose is to do the “will of Him who sent me.” Not generically, but specifically, “…that everyone who looks on the Son and believe him should have eternal life.” 

 The need is not the call. What steps do you need to take to determine your specific area of calling? 

 Ask yourself: 

1. If money and time were no object, what would I do with my life?

2. What areas of service energize me?

3. What areas of injustice do I feel compelled to address?

4. What would other people say I’m most passionate about?

 Listen to Lord’s voice and feel confident in stepping out in faith, believing the promise in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”