Let’s talk about words for a minute. They are amazing things.
“Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.” ~ Confucius, Analytics 20:3, iii
Words can be very powerful, and yet, between those we say and the ones we write, we tend to throw them around at the rate of about 15,000 each day (depending on which sources you consult). That’s a fair bit of output and a sizable amount of force.
Do we ever think of it that way?
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” ~ Rudyard Kipling, Speech to the Royal College of Surgeons, London 1923
Some of the deepest and most lasting impressions on earth
derive their importance entirely from words.
Wedding vows, historical records, political alliances and severances (such as the Declaration of Independence), and religious writings (such as the Holy Scriptures)... all demonstrate the immeasurable strength of words, and their potential to build up - or to destroy - people and nations. We can be contractually obligated by them, and legally condemned by them. Uttering specific ones can get you killed in some places and cultures. That may seem ridiculous to the free-speaking modern American, but it is true, and we would do well to recognize the importance of our words.
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“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” ~ The Gospel of Matthew, 12:37 NASB95
Words are capable of capturing and defining a reality that can be elusive, and solidifying ideas that would otherwise remain vague. A man who feels that he probably should not cross a stranger’s land without permission can have no doubt of his wrongdoing if that land is posted with the words “No Trespassing.” What was a gray area has become black and white by the presence of a simple phrase.
Words also define the world around us in a relatable, impactful way. We can use them to share ideas, express our feelings, and explain directions. They build, bind, and connect us, and help us to work together to achieve remarkable results. They are the most structured form of communication that we have; allowing minimal ambiguity. They are the factual part of our commitments, the evidence of our feelings, and the proof of our promises.
Each of our own names is a short series of words that identify us for who we are. Furthermore, when spoken in truth, our words can convey our innermost feelings; the ‘us’ that cannot be seen or accessed by any other route. In addition to the visual image we possess and the actions we take, to the outside world we are, essentially, a culmination of our name and title, and the language we use to describe ourselves. This means that a large part of our very identity is defined by words.
“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.”
~ Lucy Maud Montgomery via Anne of Green Gables
When used constructively, words can accomplish great things. The most advanced civilizations on earth have typically been the ones with well developed languages and the ability to record things in writing. We’d be doomed to repeat every war, every plague, every failure… if we didn’t have the opportunity to learn from those that were written about. If every doctor and scientist had to reinvent and rediscover every advancement and recipe for technology and medicine… where would we be?
Our emotional and spiritual worlds revolve around words as well. From poetry and love songs to the letters and calls of family and friends, we thrive on words.
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Solomon, Book of Proverbs, 25:11 NASB95
On the other hand, deceitfully spoken words often do damage, great or small. For instance, take a chocolate covered child holding a candy bar wrapper who swears he did not eat it. You may be upset about the act, but you are likely to be far more hurt by the lies that followed it. Deception has a sting like no other, from cookie thieving to marital issues, to broken treaties and other sins. And nearly all begin with the words of one or all parties involved.
Words have the power of inflicting real harm if not spoken with care and truth.
Many wise men - from Confucius to Shakespeare - have cautioned regarding the power, and the need for the responsible use, of words. For this reason we ought to handle our words delicately, and speak them intentionally, or not at all.
“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” ~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet
“We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves to those we let slip out.” ~ Winston Churchill
“The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” The Epistle of James, 3:6-8 NASB95
Indeed, words are very powerful things that should be used carefully, but when applied correctly can have amazing results. Perhaps Solomon said it best:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Tongue = words. And I do love words.
I love the way they can carry us to faraway places and eras, real or invented, that we could not visit without them. I love the insight that they give into people; both real and fictional. I love the truth they can speak and the experiences that they convey; allowing us to connect over shared struggles and joys, and find common ground on which to thrive. I love the imagery they portray of events that I was not alive or around to see, but can understand - at least in part - by their description. I love the comfort they bring when they define - and help us process - the crazy life we’re in, and the way they can give us the ability to visit other worlds within the pages of a good book.
Why are we still talking about this?
It has been longer than ‘a minute,’ what does it matter to me? Because writing is a creative outlet, and creativity is vital to our health. You may laugh, but hear me out.
Cooking, gardening, photography, literally all of the visual arts (painting, sculpting) and performing arts (orchestra, ballet), most crafts (sewing, woodworking) and even collecting and decorating have one thing in common: they MAKE or RE-MAKE something desirable because they EXPRESS the creativity inside. They scratch the itch; fulfill the longing; satisfy the need… We were literally created with a desire to create.
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Book of Genesis, 1:27 NASB95
The same desire of God to make us imprinted on us when we were designed in His image. We’re made to want to make - something - anything. And writing is one of those things. And, unlike many other arts, the tools you need - words - are free. Memories, Anecdotes, Poems, Fairytales… they cost nothing to create; no special supplies, no extra classes, just you.
And that is the point of this blog. I think that really good writing - the best writing - both fictional and non - has its roots deep in the life of the writer. From memories and records of experiences and events, to imaginations and whimsical ponderings - writing what we see, feel and invent for ourselves produces something lasting and therapeutic; something we can look back on to see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown, or something we can reference when we want to remember the details long after the memory has faded, or some masterpiece of the imagination that we created all of our own.
So that’s what I do.
I live life, and I write about it. And now I plan to keep it here, on this blog. From memories to recipes to Bible study notes… to be shared with whoever they might amuse or encourage. And I would encourage you to - just maybe - take up writing as well.
Thanks for visiting!
