On Big Words

Incredibly, indelibly, large language
Complicates things.
Inevitably, inherently, small thoughts
Hide behind vast verbiage.

Every now and then,
In between the syllables,
Ever pause and think:
Why, the big words?




When I want to say something simple, my education or intellect (or perhaps some pride) searches for a way to over-say it. To dig into the depths of the dictionary for an obscure dialectical discovery. However, the beauty of language is not in how big your words can be, but in how you can communicate what you feel. Some of the smallest words have the strongest meaning… "If", "Yes", "No", "Ow", "I", "You", "God". Yet, we spend our time trying to convince ourselves and others of the amount of big words we know. The point for me? If it is not necessary, don't use it. I have to learn to let my yea be yea, my nay be nay, and nothing else (Matthew 5:37 below). Colorful language is fine for literature, fine for poetry, and even fine for certain conversations (ever try explaining the periodic table in under 200 impossible terms?). However, big words should never substitute for the wisdom in keeping it simple.

As we grow in faith, don't forget the little words. Never get too big for the words that communicate how you feel. The words that cried for salvation, "God, I need you". The words that confirmed your marriage, "I do." The words that show your gratitude, "Thank you". The words that move you from affection to action, "I love you". The words that acknowledge your imperfections, "I'm sorry". These are the words that mean the most to God, they should mean the most to us.



Lord, I pray we don’t lose sight of you in the middle of our learning. I pray our words don’t get so big that our hearts can't understand them. I pray our children are not won over by our eloquence, but by our simple honesty. May we remember the beauty in the small sayings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.



Listening,



j.a.g.






Proverbs 29:12-14
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?


Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.