In the Beginning was The Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1

The Word.

Out of all the ways John could have started his gospel, this is certainly one of the more unique ways. He passes over the typical genealogical or cultural stage setting and reaches back to the beginning, the Very Beginning, invoking a Genesis-type intro to the last of the Gospels.

The Word. The Word.

In the beginning was the Word.

What does that mean and why did John choose those words to open his beautiful and unique Gospel?

In the HCSB version of John 1:1, the footnote says "The Word (In the Greek: Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father."

Communication and revealer. I love that. My spirit literally went "Aha!"

Sure I have memorized this scripture, but I don't think I've ever really let the gravity of these words saturate my soul. Jesus communicated and revealed to us who God is through His time here on earth, as the written word (The Bible) continues to do so across the centuries.

I don't remember a time where I wasn't surrounded by words. My parents and grandparents read to me constantly as a kid and I was reading on my own by the end of kindergarten. I have always had tons of books and my eyes hungrily search for words as I eat or do other activities. I like word-decorated items, word games, play on words and word humor.

Words are my JAM.

God is leading me into a season of life where (prayerfully) words are going to play a bigger part. I have found myself asking myself why writing is important to me or why it's a big deal at all. There are so many books, blogs and magazines out there already. How are more words going to even matter?

He then brought John 1:1 to my mind.

Words matter. Words have power. Jesus himself is the Word.

As a Christian, God has called me to use my words (His words) to communicate and reveal who Jesus is. That's it. That's my job. We all have this responsibility by being his witnesses, but for me, this specifically applies to writing.

It doesn't matter (really) what direction my writing takes, what does matter is that I walk in obedience to the calling He has placed in my life.

.listen.

Periodically, I feel the Lord leading me to spend a week quiet in His presence.

Truly quiet. No wrestling with decisions. No distracted praying.  

Just... listening. 

Listening for His voice in my soul.

"Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward."
Isaiah 51:4-5

Do we really know how to listen? Remorsefully, I think about how often I fill the time with me and God with words...so many words. Not all bad ones. But do I stop enough to listen to Him? Do I pause long enough to hear His voice?

"Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear..." 

James 1:19

In any relationship, there is talking and listening; giving and taking. Why should communicating with God be any different? We've been in those conversations that are really monologues. You can't get a word in to save your life, and if you happen to eke out a few thoughts, it's obvious the other person is just waiting for your mouth to stop moving so they can pick up where they left off.

Are we carrying on a monologue with God?

Our society puts much emphasis on words. Fill the void with words. They don't even have to be helpful or true it seems like...just produce words. We can't let that mentality bleed into our relationship with Jesus. If you find yourself (like me) lacking on listening, don't hesitate to relax in God's presence, close your eyes, and just listen. Whether He has something to say to you or simply wants to bless you with His nearness, let Him have the floor.

God has so refreshed me this week. I have felt His arms wrap around my soul.

He is eager to do the same for you.

Year 1, Lesson 4

Lesson #4: Don't speak ill of your spouse, especially in front of other people. 

This was one of the most surprising things I discovered in our first year of marriage. It saddens me to see spouses bash each other in front of their friends. Not only is it more common than I would've thought, it is accepted...no almost expected to bash the "stupid" husbands or demean the "ball-and-chain" wives.

Frankly, that is dumb.
Maybe I'm still a starry-eyed newlywed, but that's not a healthy pattern, nor is it biblical. If you keep complaining about your spouse, that makes you part of the problem. C'mon peeps! Words have consequences and we know the Bible spares no expense on instructing us on the power of our words...
One of Clark Whitten's podcasts I heard even before we got engaged talked about the danger of "uncovering" your spouse in public, that is tearing them down in front of other people.

Choose to not do that. Choose to paint a different picture of marriage to a painfully confused society.

Linking this back to yesterday's lesson, maybe better words about your spouse have to start with better thoughts about your spouse.