The English language is a language of verbs. Other languages are full of nouns. Think of German, with its long, compound words to describe persons, places, and things. By contrast, English is a language built around verbs. For example, the current edition of the Oxford English Dictionary lists 645 different meanings for the verb “to run.” Think about the different ways we use that particular verb: run a race, a run on the bank, run an idea up the flagpole, run a fever, running on empty, runs in the family, iPod’s running apps, cars running on gas, getting a run in one’s stockings, and running a ship aground, to name a few.
Verbs, by definition, mostly deal with action and movement. They can be passive (e.g., being pushed on a swing) or active (e.g., competing in a marathon), yet quite often they communicate a sense of motion and vitality. Now here’s the tie-in for our church newsletter: Christian faith should be built more around verbs than nouns. Nouns are important, for they provide us with points of reference for our faith life – but what is the real use of a church building unless you enter and worship therein? What is the lasting value of a bible that is never read or a hymn that is never sung? Faith is something that animates us in our daily walk of life; it’s not just something we ponder abstractly or treat like an object on display in a museum somewhere.
When John Bell, the musician/theologian from the Iona Community, visited us last year, he commented that too much of our church art and music is focused on images of Jesus that are static and passive. We love the image of Jesus as the baby born in the manger, but babies are helpless and totally dependent on others. We are moved by the image of Jesus crucified on the cross, but the nails literally keep Christ fixed in one spot. And we are filled with awe at the image of Jesus as the Risen Lord, enthroned in heaven in all his glory; but that is also a distant, static portrayal of Christ. We need to remember how Jesus lived and moved and engaged others during his earthly ministry. We need to picture Jesus touching the wounded and outcast, embracing the grieving and vulnerable, laughing with his friends, eating with saints and sinners alike, and generally being on the move as much as possible.
During the upcoming summer months, what are the verbs you’ll be using as part of your life of faith? To be still in times of prayer and Sabbath-rest counts as an appropriate passive verb. To engage, serve, volunteer, and study all count as positive active verbs. Perhaps the options from Micah 6:8 are as good a trio of faith verbs as any when looking for guiding principles: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Build your faith around verbs, trusting in the Holy Spirit, who animates and enlivens and invigorates us each day to the glory of God.