A Word of Wisdom
What’s in a word?
Our words matter. They inform the condition of our hearts, and they influence the hearts of others. In ancient Hebrew culture, a spoken word was considered an extension of a person’s authority. This is why vows and covenants and agreements were spoken: they carry the weight of the speaker’s character to ensure them. In fact, the word abracadabra is Hebrew/Aramaic in origin, which makes sense when we recognize this cultural context. It means “what is spoken is what becomes.” This is why liturgy, the work of the people, forms and informs us as we seek to walk the way of Jesus. Our prayers, our traditions, our liturgies, hymns, and songs help us speak our way into becoming.
With our words, we create the world. We heal it or break it, over and over again.
The issue, of course, is that we don’t often encounter words in this way. We feel inundated by them. We skim, rather than read or reflect. We rattle words off with very little thought. Along the way, we’ve turned even our sacred words into proofs and theories rather than portals into God’s presence.
The sacred words of scripture are not meant to be efficient, but profound. They are not meant to get results but to incite transformation. This year, we want to reignite our capacity to experience words as invitation, not declaration.
As we ponder these fifty-two words of wisdom that bring us into the ineffable presence of God, may these words bring healing. And may we nobly carry the responsibility we have to create life-giving energy in the world with the words we choose to speak, and the words which embody the way we then live.
Wisdom shapes our lives and guides how we live as people of faith. We invite you to join us in exploring 52 words of wisdom—one for each week. You can deepen your journey with a custom journal created for the year, available in two parts: part one for the fall, and part two for winter through summer. Use the journal as a personal devotional, reflecting on each week’s word, scripture, and questions, or share it in a group for study and conversation. However you use it, our hope is that these words will take root and grow into your daily life. Get your copy today for $5 using the button below.
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