Anthony Ross was a famous Scottish priest, also known as a preacher. 

He had a stroke which left him wordless. For a man whose work was so closely tied to his use of words, it was a big blow. The doctor actually told Anthony that he wouldn’t be able to speak again. In response, he replied, ‘Thank you, doctor.’ What a surprise for the doctor to hear that!

Turns out, Anthony could in fact speak, but only a word or two at a time, and only very slowly. People would come from miles around to speak to him. They waited expectantly for him to share a word or two in response. This is how well-known he was for his wisdom. 

Timothy Radcliffe was one of the people who came for a visit. He had to wait for his friend’s response. But it came. When it did, it was one word: “Courage!” It was just what he needed to hear. Since the priest’s words were so valuable and rare, it provided Timothy with spiritual food for months.*

What I like about this story is that it reminds us (a) about the power of words, (b) that you don’t need to use a lot of words to make an impact, and (c) that we truly long for words which build us up from people we care about or respect.

Words are everywhere. Because of that, they can seem cheap. As we go about our days we are constantly bombarded with non-stop words. 

But when words are shared with thoughtfulness they can be more powerful than you think.

In Ephesians 4:29 Paul instructs his readers that they should only use words which are “helpful for building others up according to their needs…” 

At this time of year many of you will be visiting friends or family. You’ll be seeing other people at church or in your neighbourhood. What if the words you shared were different—not because they were fancy or many—but because they were intentional and thoughtful, and because they made a point to build others up?

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Notes:

—You’re invited! If you don’t have a church home for Christmas Eve and you’re close to Barrie, Ontario, join me at Westminster Church. We have two services: (a) The Super Family-Friendly Christmas Eve, and (b) The Traditional Candlelit Service. Click here to learn more. [Or click on the video below.]

–*Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Seven Last Words (Burns & Oates, 2005), 75.

—Pause warning: The Up Devotional will go on pause after Christmas and resume on January 2, 2025.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.