Lately I’ve been mulling over the power of a number of specific kinds of words known as conjunctions. These seven short words, for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so can change the entire meaning of a statement.
For example: “I was going to make hamburgers for supper but decided to order pizza this evening.” Actually, this is true, I’m too busy working on this article to cook; besides, I wanted a break.
Another example: ”I was going to work in the garden this morning but it was sort-of raining so I decided to stay indoors.” Another absolutely true statement that describes my change of plans.
While the first example relieves me of cooking and doing dishes, the second also contributes to my sedentary lifestyle, at least today’s lifestyle.
In a far more gratifying way, I’ve been soaking up peace and thanksgiving as I’ve listened to a CD with Lynda Randle. A verse and chorus of this song, written by Tracy Dartt, is as powerful as any conjunction I can think of.
“Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known
But things change, when you're down in the valley
Don't lose faith, for you're never alone
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night.”
In an example from Ephesians 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul wrote, describing how God changed our hearts and minds to reflect His graciousness:
“But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much, that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again.”
