Four Powerful Words

Encourage one another and build each other up…
-1 Thessalonians 5:11

Death and life are in the power of the tongue…
-Proverbs 18:21

As a young man I had a mentor and friend named Otis Skillings. A gifted arranger, Otis was there to catch the first crest of the Contemporary Christian Music wave back in the late 60s, and his work in both artist-driven and choir-driven Christian music was remarkable.

I first worked with Otis while traveling with the initial Contemporary Christian Music band, called by the unlikely name, “The Spurrlows” (a hybridization of the founder’s name, Thurlow Spurr–another early giant). Otis was an arranger for the group, and spent significant time with us in rehearsal camp and on the road, teaching us the music he had arranged for us. We hit it off, and developed a relationship that continued after I left the group two years later, to my everlasting benefit.

Otis taught me many things about music and arranging, and demonstrated to me how to successfully walk the Christian life as a musician. I owe him much for those two things alone. But the greatest thing he ever did for me was to say these words over and over:

“I believe in you.”

He would say them in person. He would say them over the phone. He would write them on postcards while he was flying to London or somewhere to record. And I desperately needed to hear them. I was a 20-something, quite certain that I didn’t possess whatever it took to succeed as a career musician.

With those four words, he gradually changed my mind, and in so doing, my life.

Given Otis’ example, and the scriptures I’ve listed above, I want to ask you: What is it that you consistently communicate to those with whom you serve?

Are you always looking for ways to assert your authority, or rather to come alongside and encourage? Do you easily take umbrage at offenses real or imagined, or are you quick to turn the other cheek and speak blessing? Do you walk in the realization that working with people, especially in worship ministry, is bound to be messy most of the time, and embrace that messiness as part of the job description?

Words mean things to people, and the people behind the words mean even more. What is your response when someone lets you down, disappoints you in some way? Is it to berate them, or even worse, to ignore them and hope they’ll just go away? My friend, you have it within your power, through the power of God’s Spirit within you, to positively alter their life by using four words, and by showing with all you do and say that you mean them. You can lift people up, or you can squash them.

It is to your advantage, to the health of the church, and to the glory of God, to lift them up. People will live up, or down, to your expectations of them. Teach them, train them, point out the error of their way if necessary. But even then, speak the truth in love.

Dear Lord, help me to truly believe in people, to encourage someone today. Let my tongue be one that gives life… In Jesus’ name…

Dave Williamson