Roses by Other Names

What's in a word? If you were ye olde barde, Mr. Shakespeare of yore, you'd say, "A rose by any other name would smell the same." This oft repeated saying is more a paraphrase of the original than an exact quote, but does give the gist of his meaning. To call something by a different name, he asserts, in no way diminishes its essence—but it sure might make it harder to comprehend! Nothing brought this more to mind than a visit with our kids.

As I sat across from my son and grandchildren who, if I'm lucky, I see at least twice a year, I relished the wonderful delight of being in their presence. But their words—not so much.

I listened to my beloved Gen Zers in silent confusion. While I understood words and sentences in their speech, their meaning was beyond me. Though clearly of the English persuasion, the newly coined words with which their language was peppered, words well known to Gen Z and Alpha generations, left us Baby Boomers at a loss. Even a request for "translation, please" failed to help. The words were too fast and the meanings too foreign. Welcome to the disconnect between older and younger generations, a disconnect fueled by language.

If you look up words coined by Gen Z, you find terms like "no cap" (no lie), "slay" (to do something well), "sus" (suspicious), and "vibe check" (yay! one term that's almost self-explanatory—it means "to assess someone's mood"), and many more. If you are a person born prior to Gen Z, could you understand a conversation riddled with such words? If you're like me, the answer would be a resounding no. So, barde of yore, while a rose might be the same even if going by another name, alas, the word representing it might be Greek to me.

In order to communicate effectively, we need to understand each other. No matter how you cut it, language is essential. This "innocent" disconnect, arising from differences due to generational vernacular, was new to me. Prior to that, I was only familiar with the dark overtones rising from the forced restructuring of language down through history.

Even 2,500 years ago conquerors were onto the significance of words as an integral part of identity. In Daniel, chapter one, we find that one of the first things the Babylonians did to their captives (the Israelites) was implement ways to strip them of their identity. How? They had them eat Babylonian food, learn Babylonian studies, and, last but not least, embrace the Babylonian language; in short, they were to immerse themselves in all things Babylonian. Why? To redefine their identity. Taking away the markers of that identity made them more malleable, easier to keep servile. It's a testament to their character that Daniel and his friends fought to retain their Jewish identity. This tool, the stripping away of the language of those they subjugate, has been used time and time again by conquering peoples. The Irish, Native Americans, Hispanics, all have cowed under the thumb of loss of language, loss of identity.

Intrinsically linked to who we are, words not only help us communicate, they also define us, our values, our way of life. It is a sad day when we are forced to leave part of our identity behind. Yet, new words in any given language are often a necessity. Embracing the new vocabulary, the new phrases, is not a white flag waved to loss of self. We are not being victims of loss of identity. It is a nod to the way of life, a nod to the fact that one thing of which we can be sure: life is a river that flows and changes. And that includes language. Whether stemming from the catalyst of cultural changes (ergo, our inability to understand our grands), new technology, new ways of doing things—all these things cry out for new words. So sometimes we are at a loss to understand because the words we hear, for whatever reason, changed. Yet, if we are to effectively navigate the world around us, sadly (if you are one such as myself to whom the known equals comfort), we must learn the new words for the rose.

I am so glad, though, that there is a part of our identity, a part of our lives, a part of our language, that will never change, will never leave us feeling bereft.

While new generations and new innovations add to our lexicons, and sometimes leave us feeling at a loss, thank God for comfort words, the words of our identity as children of the Most High God that never, ever change. Words that define our true selves and, no matter the environment, no matter the change in government, no matter the generation, words that retain their meaning for us. Words such as love, forgiveness, redemption, and grace. Those timeless words of comfort never change. They will never be beyond our reach or understanding. And Who is the embodiment of those comfort words? None other than Jesus, He Who is Himself the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:14), a Living Word we never have to worry about not understanding.

Why? Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). There is no disconnect with Him. We don't have to worry about the principles of God becoming outdated. We don't have to worry about the precepts of God not being pertinent to today's life. We don't have to worry about the truths of God being out of the reach of our understanding. Our God is the same today as He was when Jesus walked the earth and will be the same until His second coming and beyond. And no matter our place in society, no matter our generation, His Words speak to us.

We never have to fear an unsettling vacuum of not understanding Kingdom words and principles. We will never sit at a restaurant booth and quirk our eyebrows at Jesus and say, "Huh?" No matter the technology, no matter the new words coined, no matter the parameters of our given generation, Jesus will always stay the same. He will always love us. He will always be there for us. He will always transcend the generational and cultural barriers. No matter the language of our generation or culture, we will "get" Him and His ways—and He us.

Six-seven, clock it! He has been and ever will be our mainstay, our pillar—today and always.

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower" (Psalm 18:2).

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love" (John 15:9).

"Thy word is true from the beginning ... I rejoice at thy word" (Psalm 119:160, 162).