Eloquence

William Faulkner, American author of The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying, once said of fellow author Ernest Hemingway, "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." In response, Hemingway fired by back saying "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" At this point, you're probably thinking, "Ok, Jimmy has a degree in English, but must he write an entire blog post on authors? Didn't he do enough of that in college?" To answer you're question: 1) Yes I did; and 2) This has nothing to do with literature. It has everything to do with spirituality.

I chose to major in English for one main reason: I like words. I believe language is an incredibly powerful tool that God has blessed us with. Words have a deeper impact than many people realize. When used well, words can create an eloquent tapestry of emotion and description that can well up feelings of joy, sadness, suspense, and relief within our spirits. But each type of language has an appropriate time and setting. The vocabulary I used when writing collegiate papers, for instance, would seem out of place in conversation with my close friends. I don't need to use big words to convey my emotions to those I love. In fact, saying "Life is good" or "I'm frustrated with this" or "I miss you" comes across much as being much more sincere than "I'm experiencing triumph" or "I am thwarted by this" or "I yearn for your presence." Because at the root of it, I want my loved ones to see me my emotions for what they are: genuine. My emotions are enough, they don't require any dressing-up. I have nothing to prove to them. Why shouldn't the same apply to my relationship with God?

I am often put off by the cliches that are used so exhausted in Christian culture. Particularly in prayer. I am not so much irked by poetic language as it pertains to describing God or speaking of his majesty. He truly is great and it is most certainly appropriate to use the eloquence He Himself invented to create a glorious description of Him and His works. But personally, I find it hard to use this language when I'm talking to him and feel like I'm being authentic. It is not necessary. I do not need to try to impress God. Believe me, I know that I can't do it. How can imperfection impress Perfection? It's pointless. I do not need to earn His affection, he already provides it over-abundantly. And furthermore, God neither requires it, nor does He request it. He asks for one thing: authenticity. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind." - Luke 10:27. Nowhere does it say "with all your eloquence" or "with all your impressive vocabulary".

Clearly God is royalty. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace...I could go on for hours. He certainly deserves the best words we can offer. But why do those words have to be multi-syllabic, 10+ letter words (...kind of like "multi-syllabic")? The three most powerful words in the bible were 4 letters with only one syllable: Faith. Hope. Love. God wants us to be in relationship with him. He wants us to be intimate with him. He wants us to be real with him. I cannot speak for others, but in my life "intimacy" is almost synonymous with "vulnerability". For me to be vulnerable with my God, I have to step out from the veil that I create with my words. I have no need to hide my brokenness. If I'm happy, I'm going to tell Him just that and thank Him for that. If I'm tired, I'm going to keep it simple. If I'm frustrated, I will let him know with the fewest words possible. Because to be honest, I can't wait to shut up and let Him speak. I want to be able to pour my heart out to him completely, and then wait for him to respond.

For this reason, I am coming increasingly irritated by the Christian cliches that are littered throughout public prayer. I find the same phrases turning up over and over and over in prayer, and it eventually gets to the point where the phrase means nothing to me anymore. Why should I ask God such a vague request as "fall upon this place" when I could straight up ask "allow me to experience your presence"? Why is it necessary to speak in biblical metaphors in a conversation with a personal God? I feel much more authentic telling God "I'm tired and I'm frustrated and I need strength and patience" than telling Him "I grow weary of running the race." Metaphors are a great tool to explain a concept. They are not necessary in expressing emotions. God knows my heart. He doesn't need me to to explain how I'm feeling.

Please do not misunderstand me. If your prayer is most authentic when using these terms and phrases, then do no think I am saying that my way is the only right way. When it comes down to it, I don't particularly care what words you use in your prayers. That doesn't involve me, its between you and God. I also have no right to tell you how your spiritual life should work. I'll be the first to admit that mine is often a mess. I can suggest that you consider the same question I have been led to: How can I be most vulnerable? How I can I be most authentic? If my logic is flawed, please bring it to my attention. Whoever you are, for whatever reason you're reading this, I value your opinion. Let's grow together.