Words

Words hold creative power. Genesis tells us the world was created through words.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

Genesis goes on to say everything else was created through words, too. Creation was spoken into being. Except for humans - after a conversation within God's self,  humans were fashioned, from the earth, and given divine breath.

It occurs to me that breath is used for many things, one of which is to speak. Later, Jesus again reminds us the power our words have. While we may have forgotten the treasure we carry in our lungs, the power is still there, latent.


...if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

 Lately, I've had the opportunity to witness the incredible power of words. A friend recently spoke words of truth and love into a dark place in my life, and indeed, I could suddenly see something new and clear, as if by magic.

Let there be light.

Another scene emerges. One person speaks bitterness and criticism into a room full of people dreaming something new, and working towards a common goal. The whole room deflates like a balloon, and everyone stops. What's the point?  The mountain of work seems to disappear, the beautiful vision is obscured.

You will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.'

Nothing will be impossible for us, Jesus warns. May we guard our tongues, for we speak with the breath of our creator.