Hand-sculpted by artist Glenn Lamp, this one-of-a-kind piece hangs as a floating installation. The driftwood is sourced locally from the Crystal Coast.

As I hung up the phone, a heavy silence filled the room. I sat there, replaying the conversation, thinking, “Why did I say that? Lord, forgive me.” It wasn’t the first time I babbled, but it felt different this time. This time, I felt the weight of my words more deeply.

I had been entrusted with the gospel, with the message of hope and redemption, yet in that moment, I had tarnished my testimony. I had allowed my tongue to speak in a way that did not honor the One who rescued me from the muck and mire. It was painful to admit, but I knew I had fallen short.

The words of Jesus echoed in my mind: “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). My words in one conversation revealed my heart's condition. I had allowed pain, frustration, and anger to take root, and they manifested in my speech. I realized that if I was to live a life set apart for Jesus, I needed to guard my heart and my words more diligently.

But the conviction didn’t stop there. The apostle John’s words in 1 John 3:16 pierced my soul: “By this, we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Jesus had laid down His life for me. He had shown the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. And here I was, struggling to control my tongue.

Living a life set apart for Jesus means reflecting His love in every aspect of our lives, including our conversations. It means choosing words that build up rather than tear down, that encourage rather than discourage. It means laying down our desires and preferences for the sake of others, just as Christ did for us.

That day, I made a commitment to be more mindful of my words, to let the love of Christ fill my heart so that it overflows into my conversations. I sought forgiveness for my past words and asked the Lord to help me speak in a way that honors Him.

I knew that God had forgiven me, and I held on to the truth that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Yet, I also recognized the importance of seeking forgiveness from the other person. I picked up the phone and said, “Please forgive me. I should have never said what I did.” When I hung up from our conversation, the peace of God washed over me, confirming that reconciliation had been made.

Living a life set apart for Jesus isn’t about perfection but progress. It’s about striving each day to reflect His love and grace. And when we fall short, as we inevitably will, it’s about seeking His forgiveness and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.

Let us be people whose words reflect the love of Christ, whose conversations draw others closer to Him. Let us live lives set apart, not for our glory, but for His.

- Heather