In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Reflection
Do you remember the rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”? I remember enduring some very cruel words when I went to school and this phrase kept ringing in my ears, but I never understood it because words hurt more than people gave them credit for.
We see in the media the number of people who take their own lives because of the torture they endure through words. This is because words have power. Edward Bulwar-Lytton is credited with saying “the pen is mightier than the sword”, so I’ll say it again; Words. Have. Power. For many this is no surprise, but if we acknowledge our words have the power to alter the direction a person’s life takes or even lead someone to end their life, just stop and think about the power of God’s Word.
God’s Word spoke all of creation into being…let that really sink in for a moment…God’s Word was with God at the very beginning before ANYTHING and then that Word was spoken and EVERYTHING came into existence. I am awestruck by that powerful, creative building Word. And yet, this powerful Word became frail human so that we could better understand God and God’s great, all-encompassing, all-consuming Love for us, some of the very things spoken into creation.
Our voices can be echoes and signposts that point to the inspiring, God with us, Creation building Word, or they can be used to crush and damage Creation. Free will gives each of us a choice everyday as to how we use our words, my challenge to you today is to go out into the world and share only God-inspired words today, words that affirm, love and give honour and wholeness to others of God’s spoken creation.
Living Word It slips our mind how powerful and creative your Word is and for that we are sorry. Enable us to live by your Word and to be examples of your Word in creation today. Help us to speak love to all the world so as to honour you and be part of your Kingdom creating. In and through the power of your Word. Amen.
Today’s Writer
Kirsty-Ann Mabbott, Church Related Community Worker
