This morning I had one of those experiences that make you look at language differently. I was typing a letter to someone and I went to type an expression that I am sure I have said at least a hundred times out loud but I had never written. The sentence was “I hope you have had time to say your p….”. As I started to type the work that I thought went in the sentence, which was “peace”, I realized for the first time that it could also be piece. I had never noticed this while speaking because no distinction needs be made. I always thought that it meant you speak your peace, as in you have said enough that you can feel at peace. I asked the woman who sits beside me at the corporate office and she said she thought it was piece but then she thought and said she didn’t know. I asked a few more and they said it might depend on the context. It was an interesting little discussion. I went to Google. I found sites that argued one and sites that argued the other. The only consensus seemed to be that at a wedding it is “speak now or forever hold your peace”.
Because I am a pastor I immediately started to think of this in terms of a lesson, first for me and then to teach. To speak your piece would imply having your say, or making sure your opinion is heard. In the right context this can be very important. For myself though I immediately thought of those cases where I want to say my “piece” of the argument, to get the last word, or to make sure someone knows they are wrong. Sometimes my “piece” promotes “peace” but not very often. Usually it tares someone down, or makes me look good, or worse, look clever.
More often than not, if I feel I need to give my piece it is self serving not community serving. Maybe I feel hurt and I want to lash back. The book of James addressed both our difficulty in controlling our tongues and the damage they can do.
James 3:3-12 (NIV) 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Because I am a pastor I immediately started to think of this in terms of a lesson, first for me and then to teach. To speak your piece would imply having your say, or making sure your opinion is heard. In the right context this can be very important. For myself though I immediately thought of those cases where I want to say my “piece” of the argument, to get the last word, or to make sure someone knows they are wrong. Sometimes my “piece” promotes “peace” but not very often. Usually it tares someone down, or makes me look good, or worse, look clever.
More often than not, if I feel I need to give my piece it is self serving not community serving. Maybe I feel hurt and I want to lash back. The book of James addressed both our difficulty in controlling our tongues and the damage they can do.
James 3:3-12 (NIV) 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
So now I am praying that I will be able to hold my little “piece” of the argument or information when it will best serve the “peace”. I need to stop and ask myself is this going to make things better or just make me feel better. Sometimes my two cents cause a whole dollar of unrest.
James 1:19b (NIV)
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
Mark Wallace
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