Words Eclipsed

I had routine appointment with my GP a couple of weeks ago.

I’d not seen this particular doctor before.

When I walked into the consulting room, her back was to me, and she was reading my notes on the screen.

I realised she was saying something but, being deaf and also unable to lipread the back of someone’s head, I didn’t know what she was saying. 

I moved in front of her and asked if she realised I was deaf?

It’s not an unusual question for me to ask, I don’t mind that people often don’t realise.

But the doctor was mortified that she hadn’t known.

She apologised, repeatedly, and checked my notes.

Eventually, she came across the word ‘deaf’ hidden in amongst other text.

She could’ve known, but the word wasn’t easy to spot.

Immediately, the doctor wrote this note for the administrator:

 

‘Could you kindly put the hearing impairment in capitals on patient’s high priority reminder, and in first part of homepage. Thank you. Easy to miss.’

 

My notes will now have DEAF in capitals.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

 

As Christian Writers, many of us spend time writing about Jesus, His ethos, His ways.

So did many people in the Old Testament.

‘Jesus is coming!’ they said, again and again, yet people missed it.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways…..

Hebrews 1:1

The prophets were faithful.

Yet their words got lost.

Their words became hidden amongst other things.

‘Easy to miss.’

…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

Hebrews 1:2a

We might say God put The Word in capitals.

THE WORD.

JESUS.

Not easy to miss.

 

We spend all year hoping that the words we write aren’t easy to miss.

We market (or we try), we promote (or we try), we go to events (if we can), we share on social media…..

Focussing on words - ours and other people's - and our work.

And we will probably keep doing it next year.

Rightly.

 

But Christmas is three days away.

…when the right time came, God sent his Son…

Galatians 4:4

 

Let’s not let words eclipse the wonder of The Word for us.

 

For a child has been born—for us!

    the gift of a son—for us!

He’ll take over the running of the world.

His names will be: 

Amazing Counsellor,

    Strong God,

Eternal Father,

    Prince of Wholeness.

 

Isaiah 9:6 The Message Version