Putting Flesh On Our Words

If we are to be imitators of God, we must live in our bodies, not just through our words.

By: Ansley Bonaventure, Middle School Principal

We are in our third week of school, and what a joy it is to have students and teachers in the halls and the classrooms – filling the building with laughter, conversation, and just pure joy. They are thrilled to be back with friends, to make new ones, and to start this year in the next grade. It is so fun to listen and watch the conversations unfold each hour.

Why is this joy contagious, so very uplifting, and good for the soul? It is real. It is out loud. It is in person. It can be shared by 2 or 3 friends, but also witnessed by all around. These reconnecting moments are not just words on paper – they are life-giving, full, and necessary.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

John 1:14 tells us, “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.” 

The very word of God took on flesh! God did not leave the Word as one-dimensional; He clothed the Word with flesh, movement, and breath. 

Not only that, but the Word became flesh “…and dwelt among us!” The Word became relational. Jesus dwelt with people. He lived a real life with others to fulfill God’s best plan. 

Then, we are told that we see glory because Jesus took on flesh! 

If we are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), we must live in our bodies, not just through our words. We must interact with others in real time. We should wave our arms in excitement, fold over with a deep belly laugh, lean in as we listen closely, and stretch our arms in a welcoming hug. We must get out from behind our desks, our phones, our calendars, and live together in covenant community. Then, we will feel, in the flesh, the goodness of living together, and others will also see God’s glory. We were reminded from our Sunday sermon that even the angels see the glory of God when we live together in unity.

Let us use the 3-day weekend ahead to truly live in the flesh with those around us. 

May we talk more than we type, may we stroll more than we scroll, and may we laugh more than we emote.