My Love/Hate Relationship with Words

I have a love/hate relationship with words.

I love words because they are God’s chosen vehicle to deliver His truth to the human race. Words convey the gospel. In fact, Jesus is called the living Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. Everything in creation exists because God spoke words. God’s words are true. God’s words are clear. God’s words are revealing. God’s words are sharp.

I love God’s words and I love speaking and writing words about God’s Word.

I am humbled when someone says, “You are a gifted speaker” after I deliver a message. But then I wonder, “It may be a gift, but it sure feels like work!” What takes me 45 minutes to say on Sunday often takes 15 to 20 hours to prepare Monday through Saturday.

And that is why I sometimes hate the excruciating pain it takes to craft the message with precision. As a preacher, I take very seriously my responsibility is to handle accurately the word of truth. The most often used key on my keyboard is the delete key, not because my words are misspelled, but because they miss the impact I want to make and misrepresent the power of the message.

I recently saw a tweet from John Piper that made me realize I’m not the only preacher with this love/hate relationship with preparing words worthy of the gospel…“Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life. But excuse me, the Master has given me work to do. I must prepare a sermon.”

So, on this Tuesday morning, the countdown to Sunday has begun. Five days and counting…