"We need to dial it back . . . Words have great power.”
These words of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford's friend and colleague -- shared in an interview with Tavis Smiley Tuesday evening-- so resonated with me that I decided I must use them for my first blog post.
A renowned American psychologist, also interviewed Tuesday evening by Charlie Rose, claims that the “voices in this young man’s head” could have directed him to kill Gabby randomly, regardless of widely televised, violence-riddled political rhetoric. My heart receives that as a pretty lame rationalization, given this young man’s very focused ability to find the right place, the right gun, the right time and the right opportunity to execute the intentions of the “random” voices he obeyed.
The following day at lunch, I overheard two construction workers pour out their scorn and hatred for Jarod Loughner, the mentally ill young man whose own internal dialogue led him to end 19 lives, including an elected leader, a judge, and nine year old Christina Greene. Their conclusion? “They should peel the skin off Loughner slowly and let it heal and repeat that until he dies.”
I don’t believe these two men expressed words any more hateful than what a dead child’s mother is feeling today. Or a judge’s wife. Or a nation’s outraged citizens . . .
Gabby's friend's appeal to the nation – and especially to our elected leaders – made me examine the power of my own words to destroy – just this week – a fragile relationship just as it was beginning to bloom.
Oh the dizzying power of the sarcastic Word! How satisfying the hot and bloody verbal duel!
Until I pull away in my evening meditations and survey the carnage. Again.
Any true Christian believes that the awesome power of WORD brought about and continues to sustain our very existence. Should it come as any surprise that Evil would also avail itself of this awesome power?
Of all creation, only men , women and children use the power of WORD for Good or for Evil. Children do not have to be taught the latter. The bullies of junior high and high school have no difficulty refining it. Batterers of spouses and children come to prefer it, for their arrows leave no visible wound.
The harsh revelation of my Prayers is that Jarod Loughner and I are not so very different. I am merely the mercifully fortunate recipient of a far more powerful, restraining voice in my head. How I wish I had listened to that voice instead of my own before I had words with so many others this week.
For those of you who are Christian, investigate with me this month the Power of Prayer -- Having a Word with God-- to:
* Prepare my Heart
* Build Unity and Lasting Relationship with God and others
* Acknowledge Lordship (especially in battle)
* Establish Trust
* Point to the need to Forgive
* Teach Honor, Perseverance, Devotion
* Silence Evil Voices
* Slow my own worthless thoughts down
* Introduce me to Wisdom
* Reveal Priorities, Purpose
* Provide appropriate Questions and Answers
* Restore and Protect me
* Release Hope, Encouragement, Strength, Confidence, and POWER
Purpose of Prayer courtesy of Tony Forman, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Sheridan, Wyoming
