Let's Hew You

I do. When was the last time you heard those words? When was the last time you used them?

For me, it’s been a while since I last heard them. I do use the words (like I just did at the beginning of this sentence). When I use just the two words, ‘I do’, there is a conviction that goes along with them. I don’t use these words glibly. I use them when I’m thoroughly ready to commit. I use them to say that I have thought about what is before me, I have considered options and I have decided that this is the best way to go forward.

I do.

These words powerfully affirm that I commit, that I trust, that I believe, that I am prepared, and as I go along, that will deepen, so help me God.

‘I do’ means that I am not standing in the middle of the road, or sitting on the fence. No, ‘I do’ means that I have decided and that I will. It’s quite a thing, eh? Two small words that mean so much. It just goes to show that we don’t always need long, impressive words to say what needs to be said.

When was the last time that you said, ‘I do’? Do you remember the context? Do you refrain from using the words? Or, do you use them casually, without much thought?

Let me prod your thoughts a bit: did you know that, as a transitive verb (that is, a verb that has an object) there are 22 applications of these two little letters (do)? As an intransitive verb (one that does not take an object) there are 9 applications. As an auxiliary verb, there are even more instances of its use and then, there are the idiomatic expressions involving ‘do’. Hmm. Interesting. Seems that this little word is pretty indispensable.

Have you ever tried getting through your day without using the verb ‘to do’? I wish you luck. You would probably find that you can’t.

Did you know that in Spanish and French, while there exist verbs that mean ‘to do’ (hacer in Spanish; faire in French), there is no one verb in either language that quite parallels the English ‘to do’ the way we use it. Perhaps, it is why the English is taken so lightly. We have lost sight of the weight of the words ‘I do’. But, this gives us an opportunity, doesn’t it, to recognise that the language we speak gives us a privilege, one that should not be taken lightly and, therefore, when we use the words, ‘I do’, to use them carefully and intentionally.

As we make our way towards the final countdown of 2021, what are you going to say ‘I do’ to? What have you said ‘I do’ to that perhaps you shouldn’t have? How do you propose to reverse that? How do you propose to change that? When might you have used the words, ‘I do’ when you didn’t realise the weight of the commitment?

Friends, as we close the tenth month of 2021, think carefully about your ‘I do’s’. Re-think the things that you’ve already said ‘I do’ to. Have you been honouring your commitment? Have you been doing what it takes, or have you been neglectful of your duty? Have you fallen short in some way?

While you make your list, I assure you that it’s not too late to make good on your ‘I do’. I encourage you to run with perseverance the race that is set before you. Renew your commitment today.

I do. Do you?

Until next time, love, peace and joy.