Welcome to our Spiritual Journey for March, 2023. Today I've asked members of the group to write about words they fall back on. I think that many of us have special verses or poems, hymns or quotes that give us strength and encouragement, and act as touchstones.
Frederick Buechner wrote these words about the Power of Language:
I started to sense that words not only convey something, but are something; that words have color, depth, texture of their own, and the power to evoke vastly more than they mean; that words can be used not merely to make things clear, make things vivid, make things interesting and whatever else, but to make things happen inside the one who reads them or hears them. -Originally published in The Sacred Journey
Like Buechner, I love words and their power, life and texture. I am drawn to words, as any poet will admit.
To me, nothing is more powerful than the first verse of the Gospel of John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
I try to surround myself with words that encourage, delight, elevate, challenge, focus and lead the way.
Lately I find myself falling back on this verse from Philippians 4:8 --
Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
The world offers many temptations. At times I need a reminder to focus my thoughts, to remember that God is in charge. This Philippians verse has become a touchstone for me. Think about things that are excellent!!!
Reflect beauty... reflect light...
Over my desk is this quote from Ray Bradbury:
We all are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
Bradbury endorses my OLW for the year: beauty. He suggests we act as filters, shedding the mundane and downright ugly, and sharing beauty. I'm all for it.
I hope you will leave your comments and links below. I look forward to reading the words you fall back on.
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