Your Words Have Power

Your words have power.

In 2019, Jeff Schiefelbein flew to Columbus to be our YCP speaker. I had just joined the leadership team and was blessed to have dinner with him beforehand. At the event, his speech was powerful and convicted me in a variety of ways.

Fast forward to this weekend, where I was thrilled to be able to see and chat with him again, something I had been looking forward to for weeks. Why was I so excited? I had the opportunity to share with him the power of his words. That in his speech four years ago, the words he shared with our community struck me and have been something I’ve never forgotten. In fact, his vulnerability with our group helped me with struggles of pride. He also helped me learn how to properly order the priorities in my life. While I appreciated what he shared in 2019, it became much more applicable in my life over the last two years. Pride in leadership and in my faith conversion was something I struggled with as I began leading as the President of YCP Columbus. I am not sure I would have even recognized how the pride poured out from me if it wasn’t something Jeff had pointed out those years earlier. I found comfort in remembering I wasn’t the only person that dealt with that sin and strived to overcome it with prayer.

What a blessing for this to come full circle this weekend and be able to thank him at a conference where we got to hear each other speak. I had an opportunity to pray to break myself of pride before I spoke, and then see the person who taught me that in the audience while I was speaking.

The truth is, Jeff is just one of the numerous people that has shared words of wisdom with me over the last few years. So many people never know the difference they truly made in someone’s life.

Your words have power. They have made a difference for someone. Choose them kindly and wisely, and never shy from being vulnerable. Similarly, don’t overlook the opportunity to thank the people that impacted you. Gratitude carries power as well.

Thank you, Jeff. I truly enjoyed hearing another fruitful talk from you this weekend, and I can’t wait to share its impact with you in another few years.