New Words

I am participating in a Board of Ordained Ministry staff network event in Nashville this week.  We have been discussing potential legislative changes to the Book of Discipline which will be presented as petitions to the 2016 General Conference.  It is highly detailed work that is most important to those relating to the ordination process.  Much of it is semantics and word usage. 

I have encountered two words today that have really got me to thinking.  The first happened during our morning devotion when we were asked to think of a “perennial” passage of scripture.  I had never experienced this word in relation to scripture, but in relation to plants that bloom year after year.  So I began to think what is the scripture that blooms over and over in my life?  For me that scripture is Psalm 139.  It reminds me God began working in a person’s life knitting the life together in a mother’s womb and throughout life when the person is on top of the world or in in the deepest and darkest place; the person is not alone; God is present.   For me this is perennial and serves as an ever present reminder for me.

 

My second experience came from the word “sunsetting” that was used in our work today.  It was used in the context of ending or eliminating something.  I was not familiar with that word and spell check does not recognize this word but I love it.  What a beautiful way to speak of the end.  As the sunsets, we trust that it will rise again tomorrow, so as we put one idea to rest, we can trust that a new idea will develop and bring life.  Or the sunsets on one’s earthly life, we trust that life continues on the other side of eternity. 

So today in the midst of the tediousness of our work, I have found two new words that really intrigue and excite me.  You can learn something new everyday!!