Words

They'll Know We Are Christians
Lyrics by Carolyn Arends

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

And they will know us by our love, our words, indeed. In this modern age, sometimes we don't recognize the true, clear, importance of our words to those around us, and those far away. We fail to acknowledge that our words, the words of others do, still do have meaning. Words like: 'I hate you!'; 'I love you!'; 'I have cancer.'; 'They were killed last year.'; 'His mother is dying.'; 'I'm terrified.' The one thing all these phrases have, no matter the language or context in which they occur, comes down to one thing: there is power in the name, a name, a noun and a verb. Countries commence war on words; they make peace on treaties with words. Babies are born; people announce marriages and deaths, and just about anything else you can think of, with nothing less than words.

Well now, what about 'non-verbal' communications, or para-normal intuition? Well, what about it? The words the concepts, phrases and images contained within all meta-communications are no more or less than spoken words. The study within Linguistics which considers this type of communication, sign and symbol, is called Semiotics. Semiotics is keenly interested in the exchange of value for value, be it originating in explicit or implicit communications.

Intellect aside, all of us deep down know that words do have value; there is power in a name. How we know is by simple, experience. From earliest childhood we learn that there are actions and reactions, behavior and consequences for which we may be rewarded or punished. Words, and other human communication plays a central role in this realization. Children learn that what they say can bring great recognition. Adults know this too, sometimes all too well. How is it then, that some adults, some who write for audiences not cleanly identified, maybe in cyberspace, or in public speaking to a group say things they later deny, or say that they did not mean?

Now, do they suppose they are anonymous, they personally cannot matter; their words are without relevance? Now comes time for the Fall. Words do matter, always. They matter to some body. Sometimes they matter to a lot of somebodies. They mattered to a lot of people in ancient Rome; they mattered to the One whom this song recollects -- 2,000 years later. Poets touch our hearts, sometimes thousands of years after their words were first spoken or written. Do not suppose that words are without consequence. Or that yours aren't either.

Take the word 'Christian' out of the song above. Instead of that word 'christian', insert your own name please, and read it again. Better yet, locate a recording of this song. Listen a few times. Let it sink into your brain that your name is in that song too, so is your faith, where ever it may be.