God spoke: “Light!”
And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.
Genesis 1: 3-5 (The Message)
I’ve always loved the biblical story of creation in which God creates the world through the power of the spoken word, starting with Light. Light, it seems, was necessary for the rest of the world to be born.
I love this story not because it is literally true, but because it illuminates a deeper truth. It reminds us that words matter. That our words have the power to create the kind of world we want to inhabit. Which means they can also create the kind of world that we don’t.
Our country is a mess right now, and words have something to do with it. Hate, blame, cynicism, and fear have become the language of the day. Hate begets hate, blame invites retaliation, cynicism spawns apathy, and fear brings out the very worst in us. The words we use will create the world we share.
Recently I came across a photo of a sign carried at one of the April 5th protests. It read, Hello Canada. We Hate Him Too. Now, do I understand the sentiment? Absolutely. Do I support his/her/their right to carry that sign? You bet. The First amendment is vital to our democracy. Could that sign represent my own feelings at times? It could. But the question I have to ask myself is, what kind of world would I be creating with those words? Not the world I want to inhabit.
I’m not saying let’s be all sweet and nice and lovey dovey. I’m not saying let’s look for silver linings where there are none, or on the bright side when surrounded by darkness. There’s work to be done, changes to be made, battles to be fought, and sometimes, sides to be drawn. All of these require light. The kind of light created by the power of our voice. Light to shine in the darkness, guide us through difficult days, reveal the truth, expose the lies, and illuminate a vision for a better and brighter collective future. Light to help us find one another, care for one another, challenge, listen to and learn from one another.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Light matters. And so do our words.
Let there be Light.
Hello Canada. We Love You!
“The choice remains ours
how to use our voice in times
of troubling fear.”
Emily P. Freeman
