16Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16
Growing up, I was the oldest child in my family, and in my extended family, too. The only person who was really close to me in age was my brother. However, in that case, I was still roughly four years older than he was. Throughout the years, I remember seeing plenty of “little kid” shows on in the background at various family gatherings, events, and get togethers. One show that I always found creative was the show Word World.
In the show Word World, everything was made up of words. If there was a chair, or tree, the letters of those words would form the object. If there was an animal, like a dog, the same would hold true. The dog would be made up of the letters “D,” “O,” and “G.” I thought it was a creative way to teach children how to read with word recognition and pictures. I was always curious to see how they would make certain objects by spelling them out! I was always intrigued by that show Word World.
As Lutherans, the word is central and essential to our faith; to put it another way, we live in a “Word World.” The Word is what God uses to deliver life, salvation, and forgiveness to us. The Word is what God uses to create faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Word is used to encourage us, equip us, and enliven us. The Word is used to instruct, teach, and guide us. God’s Word is mighty and active, and a precious instrument in the hand of our God.
This Lent, we are going to focus on the Word. On Transfiguration Sunday, we will be sharing a Bible reading plan to help encourage you to be in the Word throughout this season of Lent. The goal is to help encourage you to daily be in the Word, the very instrument and means that God uses in our life and the way He delivers His gifts and blessings. The other hope is that it helps you learn how to incorporate daily Bible reading into your everyday life.
We’ll also expand on this theme for our Lenten midweek services. For our midweek services, we’ll take a look at the words of Jesus from the cross. Each week, we’ll focus on a different word and have a different guest preacher proclaim that Word to us. It will then all culminate on Good Friday, where we hear that all important “It Is Finished!” followed by on Easter Sunday, “Christ IS Risen!” This Lent, I hope you join us on this journey and life in a “Word World.”
In Christ,
Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXVI No. 8 – March 2025.)