Ephesians 4:29

²⁹ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,^[a]
 as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Reflection

It will not matter where you turn today, you will hear reflections on last night’s Presidential Debate in the United States.  Every news outlet, social media site, comedian, political professor and person in the coffee shop will have something to say.  Will there be anything new?  I don’t know.  Will there be anything worth saying that NEEDS to be said?  I don’t know.  Will all of the talk change things?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that there are people who live in the United States who live in desperate fear about what the upcoming election might mean.  And while we each may have a lot of opinions, our “talk” is not likely to change anything.

So, instead of talking about this today in a way that does not bring about change, what might you do?  And not just in regard to the American election, but in your own community.

What was it that you found difficult about last night?  Why did it bother you and what did it mean?

Were there issues debated that you are passionate about and that you can get involved in in this community to bring about change?

Were there characteristics in those present that you found unsettling?  Can you identify where you might sometimes have similar characteristics and pray about how to live differently?

Can you find positive and transformative words to speak about social issues and politics that build bridges and work toward change, rather than tear people down?

What leaders do you appreciate and why?  Might you do something this week that acknowledges and expresses gratitude to that person?

It is easy to talk about what happened, and there may be a place for that. 

It is faithful to use our words and our actions for building up and making a difference in God’s world.

Prayer

God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.  Amen.

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