I’m currently following a book called  “52: Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.” It provides a series of writing prompts and some example poems to help an idea start – it’s up to me whether they finish.

My love of poetry comes from an enjoyment of the feel and sound of language. The way certain phrases clatter through the lips, or an image can shift our focus or lead us on a wonderful tangent. But, I’m also conscious that words can be dangerous; they can trigger unexpected reactions, open old wounds, be interpreted in a way that was never intended – but perhaps with a bit of thought might have been anticipated. Sometimes, the words flow and everything falls into place, other times I can spend ages replacing one word with another or a comma with semi-colon, trying to figure out the tone or the rhythm of a piece.

So words matter, what we mean by them and how we use them. We are sometimes known as People of the Word. We read scripture, we consider it’s interpretation, we preach on it, we sing and pray in ways that use words to spark the imagination. So, each word builds our image of God, and shows something about the Christ we believe in. 

The other book I’m reading is “God Is Not A White Man” by Chine McDonald. As a black woman she explores the way that language has so influenced her image of God that in her imagination God was white and male. She saw herself as “other” or as an outsider. It was in reading a book called “The Shack” that she first encountered God as a black woman, it was a revelation for her and a shock for many others who were enraged that God could be portrayed in this way. 

So, you will find that I am careful about the language I use when speaking about God. As a rule, I do not use pronouns, for in English our pronouns are generally gendered. Sometimes I might use the non-binary term “they” but I know people find that awkward, so prefer to just not use a pronoun at all. I’m aware that I often fell into the habit of using binary examples – boys & girls, black & white, light & dark, gay & straight, left & right, good & evil; but life isn’t that simple. Some people prefer not to think of themselves in gendered or mono-cultural or easily categorised boxes and so when we use such language to describe God, some will  struggle to see themselves made in the image of God. You might be amongst those who don’t see a problem, but I hope we have enough sense of care to respect those who do, and to use language that is appropriate and yet still imaginative.

be blessed

Craig.