THE WORD OF
GOD IN ACTION
God's Word has power
to change and transform us! Isaiah says that God's Word is like the rain and
the snow that make the barren ground spring to life and become abundantly
fertile (cf. Is 55:10 - 11).
It has
power to penetrate our dry, barren hearts, and make them springs of new life.
If God's Word takes root in our hearts, it will transform us into His likeness.
Ambrose, a fourth century Church Father, wrote that the reason we should devote
time for reading Scripture is to hear Christ speak to us. "Are you not
occupied with Christ? Why do you not talk with Him? By reading the Scriptures,
we listen to Christ."
The power
of speech, or communication, is one of the most wonderful gifts that God has
given us. Through our words, we can tell others our thoughts and feelings, our
hopes and our joys. What we say to others in words can completely change their
attitude toward us and establish a new relationship. We need to remember that
communication is a two-way street; God wants to hear our words, too! Words spoken
to God are a prayer. Simple words are best. Words like: "I love You,"
"I need You," "I'd do anything for You." This simplicity in prayer is what Jesus had
in mind when He said, "In prayer, do not babble like the pagans" (Mt
6:7). Jesus gave us a model for prayer, the Our Father. This doesn't mean that
the words of the Our Father are the only ones we should use. It is the spirit
behind those words that matters the most, a spirit of simplicity, directness
and sincerity.
Words are
wonderful, especially the Word of God. We must listen to that Word and put it
into action. This can only happen when we have given it great attention and
reflection. Our words will also be wonderful if we pray in the way Jesus taught
us.
All we need
to do is be real with "Our Father!"