How Grammar reflects Life

In Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV, emphasis mine), Paul speaks fervently about prayer:

 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." 

A little tidbit of grammar can teach us something about the life of faith: In English we can write in two voices: active and passive. 

We can say, “I helped” (active voice: I am the agent) or “I was helped” (passive voice: I was the recipient).

It turns out that the language of the New Testament, Koine Greek has a third “voice”. It is middle voice. It is used when an action is done by someone or something, but the action strongly affects that someone or something. 

Some verbs in Greek come ONLY in middle voice, such as:

 • I come/I go/ I leave: I end up in a new place, so I am strongly affected by this action 

 

 • I answer: I am part of a conversation and will be affected by it 

 

 • I lie: I decide not to tell the truth, but I will be tarnished by this action 

 • I work: As a podcaster and theology student, Andrew Noble1, has pointed out, working with something as neutral as a shovel has an effect on the worker. At minimum, the worker will develop more muscles, maybe blisters… 

 

 • I pray: I am acting, but I’m also acted upon. We sometimes say, “Prayer changes things.” I’ve also heard it said, “Prayer changes me [the one who’s praying].” 

When Paul asks the recipients of the letter quoted above to pray, he is hoping for an effect on his ministry. At the same time, because of the grammar, he is affirming that the action of praying will also have an effect on them. 

As I thought about this, it is interesting to be me that both praying and working are found in the middle voice. Saint Benedict, who began a monastery 1500 years ago had the motto “Pray and Work.” I think he was onto something. 

We are affected by our labors and our prayers, and even more so when we do them with others for God’s glory. We are changed ever more into the likeness of Jesus together. 

For the past 18 years I worked and prayed together with my colleagues at an elementary school. It has shaped me. I’m grateful to have been part of this endeavor for the benefit of staff, students and families. 

This little Greek grammar tidbit brought it home to me at the close of the school year, and I hope you find it was worth sharing.

Trees and Fountains

There's a description of iconic, remote parts of my home country of Canada that have been joked about for years: "All you find there are trees, rocks and water." I'm actually grateful for these things.

Two of these three are either alive or life-giving. Whenever I visit cities or locations where trees are rare, I feel impoverished at some level.

In January, I took up the challenge of reading one chapter of the biblical book of Proverbs per day. I noticed during this time of focused reading that six of the central chapters each contained a metaphor relating to either a fountain of life or a tree of life.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Prov 10).

The fruit of justice is a tree of life (Prov 11).

A longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Prov 13).

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life (Prov 14).

A healing word is a tree of life (Prov 15).

Understanding is a fountain of life (Prov 16).

Trees and fountains of water are essential to our well-being, as are good words, reverence for God, understanding, and justice. Despite all the hype around stock market performance, AI technology, building booms, military spending, and money making schemes, what we all really need are things that nourish LIFE, physical, relational, and spiritual.

Photo taken August 2017, New Brunswick

May I ask you to join me in orienting yourself to the things Solomon and other writers call trees of life and fountains of life? No need to click or subscribe, to pay or donate. The hard work of being people of goodwill and integrity is what is being asked of us.

Inspired Word for 2026: Walk

My inspired word from 2025, ubuntu, was a daily reminder to build community with others, including those I did not yet know or who I did not know well. I closed the year by going on a walk with someone I had been distant from for several months. I was reminded of all we have in common as we walked and talked together. An ubuntu life helps me see how we are better together. It reminds me that slamming doors or building walls are not the right responses to difference.

For 2026, I settled on a very plain word "walk" for three reasons.

First, walking is a good metaphor for life. Even at a time when people get in a car to go short distances, walking is the way almost everyone gets from room to room in their homes and workplaces. Mobility is a cherished ability, especially when someone is recovering from a broken hip or a torn a ligament in their foot or leg. This year, I want to be conscious of my life as a walk. A walk with God and with the other people placed around me.

A brief stop on a summer hike

Second, walk is a key word in a Bible passage special to my husband and me. "But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have peace with God and fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). By focusing on "walk," I will invest time in my relationship with my spouse, even as we anticipate our 30th wedding anniversary in the fall.

Third, I do enjoy physically walking every day. I don't have a Fitbit to track my steps or calculate the equivalent my daily walking would be in kilometres or miles. Still, I'm motivated to walk to work, to school, run errands (no pun intended), and get fresh air. While walking alone or with a companion, I'm always on the lookout for birds or signs of life in the natural world. Except on the rare occasion when ice pellets are hitting my face, every walk is a delight.