Word!

Words. We use them everyday. We write them, we speak them, we read them. We think about how to say the difficult things, the deep things, the important things and then we say them. Words are the primary way we connect with others. Watching a baby learn to communicate with the world around her is no less than thrilling. To watch as her mind matures and knowledge gives way to speech is cause for celebration! My newest grand daughter can say ma ma, da da, night night, didi (Sadie, her sissy)...she is learning to speak of those things most important in her world.

Words carry healing, hope, help, hurt, life, destruction, tenderness, cruelty, excitement, entertainment...you name it...there is power in the word. Isn't it amazing how one word can carry with it the power of change? You can probably think of an instance right now where a word (or two) changed your life, in a split second. Marry me. You're pregnant. Cancer. I love you. I hate you. You're hired. You're fired. You're beautiful. And with those words came an immediate change in your thinking or direction. A change in the way you might have seen a situation, a person, a problem, or life itself.

That's what has recently occured in my life. Now, in a moment when you read what I am talking about. You just might think, really? Is that it, Terri? C'Mon, tell me something I don't know, give me something new, exciting, life changing... Please just bear with me and maybe, it will do the same for you as it did for me...a tiny shift in the way I looked at the Word...and my whole world lit on fire!

So if you will, prayerfully read the passages below...

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth...and God said, "let there be light, and there was light" (Genesis 1)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...(John 1:1)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... (John 1:14)
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life... (John 14:6)
And you shall know the Truth (ie Me) and the Truth (ie Me) shall set you free... (John 8:32)
As believers we've all heard these verses, read them, maybe even memorized them. So let's simplify and see the common denominator.

God used His Word to create the world. Jesus was with him, and He was the Word as well (I guess that would be the trinity in action), and then He became the living Word, in the flesh. His words of truth, because He is the truth (and can only speak truth) have the power to set us free. Now is where you might be saying, okay...."waiting, waiting, still waiting...where's the epiphany?"

For me, in the past, there has been a disconnect with the written Word, (the Bible), and the living Word, Jesus. When I am in a bind, or having a faith crisis, or feeling desperate, or afraid or whatever...what do I do? I go to my Bible, and I begin quoting scripture to help my situation, to boost my faith...pretty common. But, what I've recently realized is that if Jesus is in me, "Christ in me the hope of glory" and that He's the living word, inside of my spirit, He brings with Him all of the written word to bear on my situation, but He is more than words...remember He was around before the written word. He's the living word...alive, powerful, speaking truth into my spirit. Now. Today. Are you with me?

In light of this, Look at Hebrews 4:12,13:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from HIS sight, but all things are naked to the eyes of HIM to whom we must give account.
He is the author of the written word, and He is the written word, but let's not forget that He speaks and stuff happens! Cool stuff like the earth, the stars, animals, and people...all created with His Word!

What does this mean? It means that Jesus is The Word! Don't read this post without getting that. Jesus is The Word. Alive. Powerful. Discerner of my spirit. Examiner of my heart and my intentions. It means that the Bible isn't a book that I have to force myself to read, it's just Jesus...and His words to me, personally. Now. Today.

Do you remember the passage where Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice and recognize it? Next time you are having a faith crisis, need encouragement, discernment, hope...before you just jump in with all of your gusto and try and figure things out...ask Him to direct, discern, examine, because He's already there hoping you'll ask...and then pause to listen, reflect...wait...on the Word of God to you...don't worry because He has already said that you will recognize His voice. Might it come throught the written word...absolutely; might it come through prayer, indeed; might it come through a word of encouragement, a whisper, a song, a sermon, a friend...yes to all of the above. Thank you precious Lord that you are the Word, you spoke all things into being, you are the very essence of life...all things came into being because of your powerful Word. We exalt you, we love you, we praise you. Forgive me, for relegating you to a book...I mean no disrespect by that, Lord...it's just that you are so much more. Help us to know you in all of your fullness, and help us realize the magnitude of your Word that says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory".