What Three Words?

What Three Words?

Recently I overheard someone mentioning the What3words app to a friend. I knew about this app, which has assigned a unique combination of three random words to each three-metre square on the earth’s surface and I have it on my phone.

It’s used by delivery drivers and the emergency services amongst others and, though I wouldn’t describe myself as a great fan of technology, it proved very useful when our heavily laden car broke down as we were returning from holiday a few years ago and we needed to summon a breakdown service.

As it had come back into my mind recently, I decided to search the app to find the words relating to my home. The complete plot, both building and surrounding garden has been divided into three-metre squares, a whole list of words appeared as I moved the cursor from square to square. Some of the words I found included share, navigate, myself, rely, hoped and save.

I decided then to find the words listed for the church I attend regularly. These included ringers (I wonder whether this was an accidental or coincidental reference to the bellringers who signal our Sunday services?), trail, splinters, feared, prepare, conquer and oasis.

This got me thinking about the words we choose to use to define certain parts of our lives. Looking at the words I found for my home reminded me that our homes are places where the people we rely on for personal support may live (or have lived) with us, where we share things with one another and help each other navigate life’s difficulties.

Looking at the words for the church, I felt some connection with all of them. We may feel that what lies ahead for us on the trail we’re following through life is something to be feared and we feel that we must take things into our own hands and prepare for the journey in our own strength. We can cope with all the splinters, can’t we?

When I look at the final two words in the list, conqueror and oasis, I feel confident that if we rely on Jesus for our strength we can conquer (or overcome) the obstacles we find on our route and, that we will find rest in the calm oasis of Jesus’s love and friendship.

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Though I’ve made a few edits susequently, the previous seven paragraphs were written in early October, since when I haven’t had time to write for pleasure because of another three words which have dominated my year: Christmas, Tree and Festival. In late January, I offered to organise such a Festival for my church in Ditchling, Sussex. Though I have been involved in the planning of large (and some larger) projects before, I was the lead on this, which was challenging though also very exciting. I’ve loved Christmas trees since childhood and so it was a dream project for me.

Plans developed slowly across the early months but from October, it became a full-time job almost. I faced many frustrations, including navigating a new computer and coping with almost continual health issues. It was, however, deeply rewarding.

I don’t think that an event qualifies for a listing on the ‘What Three Words’ app but I’ve decided to choose three anyway and they are Faith, Hope and Love, all of which I’ve experienced over the past weeks.

Firstly, I needed to have faith that I could organise and deliver the event in a professional way. Secondly, I had to hope that people would come to visit the Festival and that they would take away some good memories, both of the event itself and the atmosphere it created within the church and the community.

Finally, but most importantly, as we’re told in 1 Corinthians 13: 13., was love. This could be seen so clearly in the companionship of people who decorated trees for the Festival, visitors and volunteer helpers. The atmosphere of warmth, mutual assistance, appreciation of one another’s creativity, learning from each other and the buzz created on local social media was a joy to be part of.

As Christmas approaches, the words people will use to describe their festivities will vary. Some will say excitement, presents and food. Or family, friends and fellowship. Unfortunately, others might have to use loneliness, sadness and despair and they need our prayers to give them the faith, hope and love. they need.

What Three Words might you choose to adopt this Christmas?

A Happy and Blessed Christmas to everyone, wherever you are.