IT IS A WORD

the Holy Spirit has impressed on my heart. In “Perspective” last week I wrote of the importance of words. I encouraged you to “chose your first 2023 word carefully,” and “nurture it prayerfully.”[1] Some of you have since shared your word back to me.

 

IT IS RISKY

when we speak words out loud or make our plans known because, as Robert Burns puts it,“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley.”[2] It is safer to remain silent. Words spoken with sincerity are a ‘commitment’ … which in itself for many is a scary word. Like the word ‘loyalty.’ In marriage and family, in professional and business relationships, a word once meaning ardor, allegiance, fealty, patriotism, trustworthiness, may in actual practice today mean none of these things.

 

That being said, it is not good to drift along never having a plan, even one that could go astray if given the chance. The beginning of 2023 is for me like standing in front of a trailhead sign that says, in effect:

 

“Year 2023, be creative but proceed at your own risk.”

 

Well, there it is, my chosen word, ‘Creative.’ Pointing me as far as the eye can see toward idea-lined hills, inspiring mountain vistas, valleys of depression and grief, yet not letting me know for sure where this ‘Creative word’ trail is taking me. Still, it is my trail, so it must lead somewhere, right? It’s risky, but as important as thinking creatively may be for me, I know it’s not enough. Creativity must translate into words to be written and deeds to be done. For this to happen, I must walk the trail.

 

I’M NO AMATEUR

at this sort of thing and you are not either. We’ve started on trails like this before, you and I, never knowing quite where they would take us, but the experiences we had were transforming. We still talk about them. So we can’t just stand here doing nothing, can we? Well, yes, we could, I suppose, but why?

 

We are at the trailhead of a new year, readying ourselves to expect joy days, hardship days, barren days, harvest days. All part of the journey from which we gather the fruits of wisdom, proving the adage that great wisdom comes with age. But if you stand at whatever is your trailhead, look longingly, then turn and walk away, for you age will come alone.

 

MY PERSONAL ‘CREATIVE’ TRAIL

includes hills I must prepare to climb. There are ‘inBetween’ spaces to share with others for whom faith may not have been so important until facing such hills in their own lives. I will meet people who wonder about the God they know must be here, but have questions they’re not sure how or who to ask. I’ll walk in valleys full of shadows, with widows and widowers groping their way through some of life’s darkest days, listen to their stories, offer hope and healing, and share a meal with these who are suddenly alone. ‘Creative’ comes in many forms.

 

I can offer a refreshing drink from my story canteen to those on the trail who just want to hang awhile with a friend, thanking God for the blessings of life. And for a few days, I will walk again in the places Jesus once walked, with a group of spiritual pilgrims who will soon be a new family of friends.

 

Gage will be at my side on the trail, a busy dog in his own right. Once a week Gage goes into a public school to visit with children who get to touch him and read to him. He has never met a student he did not like nor heard a story he did not enjoy. My daughter, Michele, a certified handler, goes with him on this outing. She sometimes joins GAGE and me on Wednesday afternoons when we visit friends in assisted living and memory care. Gage is a certified medical therapy dog in his fifth year who lives with me and, as you can tell, has a ministry all his own.

 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”[3] His inspired Word (the Bible) is creative genius from Genesis to Revelation. Who but the Creator of all things could ever have dreamed of such a thing as this.

 

“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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth … For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace[4]

 

Our God is a creative God. As you stand by your own trailhead ‘Year 2023’ sign, take the risk. Step out in faith. Whatever is ahead, whatever is ‘your word,’ the fruits of wisdom you gather along the trail will be yours to taste and to share with others.

 

May Jesus keep us close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] 01-02-23 Words, www.wardtanneberg.com/blog

[2] The Mouse by Robert Burns, (1759 – 1796), The Poetry Foundation

[3] Genesis 1:1

[4] The Gospel of John 1:1-4, 14, 16