A Well of Life

Work mornings often find me sitting at the kitchen table, gulping down my breakfast and hot cup of coffee while I read a couple chapters of the Bible for a little spiritual refreshment before the day begins. Today was one of those days, and even though I might not get the chance to sit and savour the Word like I would like to, I was blessed by several precious minutes before I had to head out for work.

One of today’s chapters was Proverbs 10. I appreciate the wisdom in Proverbs so much, but sometimes I feel like I can read a lot and not glean anything. Other times, like this morning and even with the limited time, the Lord blessed me with several verses:

“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” (Prov. 10:11)

“The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” (Prov. 10:16)

“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” (Prov. 10:21)

Lighthouses on Lake Michigan, January 2019

And as I finished off my apricot refrigerator oatmeal (highly recommended, by the way!) and started my coffee, I asked myself a few questions.

Is my mouth a well of life to others—do my words breathe life and hope into their souls?

Does my daily work bring life—hope, healing, relief, strength—to those around me?

Do my words feed others’ souls? Are they refreshed by my conversation, or fatigued?

I’m reminded of the apostle James’ words, how great a difference can be made by the use of our tongues—either good or bad. “Can a fountain send out both salty water and fresh?” (Esther’s paraphrase; Jas. 3:11)

My prayer is that I can be a well of life to others. In Christ, I know I can be. Let us draw our strength and inspiration from Him!

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” (Prov. 10:28)