Jesus.
What was your first thought when you read His name?
Jesus.
Did it bring peace and calm? Did it bring hope?
Or did it launch reminders of anger and frustration?
How often we use His name in vain.
How often we use it as a punchline or flippantly utter it in passing.
Yet, how often do we confess the sinful nature of those actions?
Well…this writing went in a direction I didn’t expect…
I suddenly realized just how often I use His name.
I use it in prayer, and I revere it, but if I’m being honest, I oftentimes use it in ways that are less than reverent.
Full disclosure…I gave up cursing for Lent. It was not until I declared it to myself and my family that I realized just how often I use inappropriate language.
So…I’m using a good old fashioned “swear jar” and offering prayers of repentance.
Each time I use a swearword I place a coin in a jar as a visual reminder (as of this writing there are already several coins in that jar) and then I whisper a prayer asking forgiveness.
This passage not only shined a light on my failings of choice language, it taught me that Jesus isn’t just a word, it isn’t just an expression…it’s powerful, it’s above all, and it’s a prayer.
So, this Lent, I pray for awareness of my words, and to think before I speak.
And, when I find myself at a loss for expressive thoughts in prayer… I’ll simply whisper His name…
Jesus.
And I’ll remember He is not a punchline…
He is my Lord and Savior.
