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Little Words, Big Impact


Sometimes we get caught up in the big words and that certainly has its place.  But, sometimes I think I appreciate the little words even more.  These are one or two or three letters words that can have big meaning and big impact.

Take the word “I”.  It is a pronoun that often is used to identify the one who might be communicating.  The communication could be something like “I love you” or “I forgive you” or “I will do that.”  Meaning and impact from a word with just one letter!

Take the word “no”.  It can put a stop to things. For example, you could have what you think is a really great idea but if you receive a no, your great idea comes to a screeching halt.  Meaning and impact from a word with just two letters!

Take the word “yes”.  It can set things in motion.  For example, perhaps you are in love with that certain special person and you ask that question and they say yes.  Big things are set into motion and your life will never be the same!  Meaning and impact from a word with just three letters!

Recently, I read four little words in the book of Ezekiel.  The first is a one letter word, the second is a two letter word and the last two are three letter words.  Just nine letters making four little words with the words combined into one short sentence but all with huge meaning and impact:

“I am for you”.  (from Ezekiel 36:9).

“I” – this little one letter word is a pronoun.  It refers to the one who is speaking, in this case, God. 

“am” – this little two letter word, in context, is the normal present tense first-person singular of “be”. In this case, it refers to expressing continuous action. 

“for” – this little three letter word, a preposition, is used as a function word to indicate purpose or to indicate the object or recipient of an activity.

“you” – this little three word is also is a pronoun.  One way the word is used is to refer to the one or ones being addressed.

If we put all this together, God identifies Himself as the one who is engaged in continuous action.  The you at the end of the sentence is us, the ones who are the recipients of His continuous action.  The continuous action is presented as very positive (“I am for you”) as opposed to a continuous action that is negative (“I am against you”).

“I am for you”, just four little words and, for those individuals who have a relationship with God, they have extraordinary meaning and should have deep impact in our lives!

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