The Word
Photograph by Mathew Schwartz via Unsplash
Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NRSV, KJV, and NIV).
“The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.” (John 1:1 The Message).
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NLT).
“Long ago, in the time before all days, before the creation of all things, the one who is known as the Word was there face to face with the Great Spirit. This word fully represents Creator and shows us who he is and what he is like. He has always been there from the beginning, for the Word and Creator are one and the same.” (John 1:1-2 First Nations Version).[i]
In whatever biblical translations we search the New Testament, we read that the Word was God. So, what happens when humans decide, decree, put down the gavel to eliminate words, eliminate the meaning of words and all associated with words?
I find myself baffled and with no adequate heart languages to convey the deep laments, anger and groans I feel as I hear, see and witness the intentional destruction and attempts at erasing what is.
I find myself baffled and with no adequate heart languages to convey the deep laments, anger and groans I feel as I hear, see and witness the intentional destruction and attempts at erasing what is. Are we reliving 17th-century book bans? Visitors to the Library of Congress will see an exhibit about books and their value. I realize that it has been a while since I entered the building, and given what is happening around our nation, I sense that a visit to the building will soon be necessary. Words have value.
Are we not called to be message bearers of good words? Yet, some of our siblings in Christ are not able to hear these good words, due to decrees banning eloquent words from our vocabulary. Many are unable to hold those words, since their names are listed on what I call the red list given their citizenships. They are barred from entering our nation. Many of these nations where unrest and sociopolitical turmoil are raging have been independent nations since the early 1800s. As outsiders hearing and reading of these executive decisions, we pause with our ancestors who themselves heard long ago of Pharaoh’s declaration to midwives assisting at births, to kill all baby boys. Must we relive the ills of history?
Let our individual laments join the collective and communal groan and join the voices of singers who in 2017 got together in New York City and created new pieces of music, to address collaboration, unity, humanity, and truths. This one song titled “Father, Let Your Kingdom Come” is one that reminds me that words matter. Whether spoken, sung or written, we uphold words. I find respite in the lyrics, the score and visuals of the beautiful music video shining Imago Dei.
I offer this prayerful plea:
Lord, your beloved are being silenced.
Lord, your truth is attempted to be erased.
Lord, my siblings’ names are no longer etched in historical manuals.
Lord, our words formed in and by you, are being sanctioned.
Lord, may we who sit, stand, speak, write, breathe of your creative good breath show and be mercy, justice, peace and love.
Lord, you are the Word. Come and have your way.
An ordained minister with ABC-USA, Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil serves as a Ministry Coach and Women’s Group Retreat Facilitator with the Center for Career Development & Ministry. Fluent in English and French, she has had cross-cultural lived experiences in several countries in Africa, Europe and North America. Rev. Sandra is a published author of three devotionals, “Walk with Generosity,” “Beacons of Hope” and “Luces de Esperanza,” as well as co-author of a leader’s guide for leaders of short-term mission teams of volunteers, “Short-Term Mission Team Essentials – Together on The Journey.”
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
[i] I appreciated the beautifully written article titled Standing for the Kingdom in Georgia by our colleague, Rev. Sean Cornell and published in The Christian Citizen on January 14, 2025. Their focus was on the country of Georgia, as they juxtaposed it with Christian historical facts. I submit that we can insert many names of countries from the African continent and Americas where similar sociopolitical storms are happening. Let us remember what is said in the Gospel of Luke “the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). The First Nations version heightens it for me “For Creator’s good road is already here – in me, as I walk among you. He then said to his message bearers, in the time of trouble ahead, you will long for the days when the True Human Being walked among you.” (Luke 17:21-22).
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