“A Lesson on Verbs” By Kara Liggett

December 21 

Recently, studying Spanish, I discovered “en Espanol,” there are two forms of the verb “to be.”  There is “estar” and there is “ser.”  One form of the verb, “estar,” is a temporary state, like, “I am tired [today]” to describe the state of a noun at the current moment.  The other form, “ser,” is a permanent state, like, “I am an American [forever],” which is used to describe the state of a noun and its nature.

Both forms can be used, but obviously one of them describes what something truly is, by nature.  In English, we have to decipher these differences on our own, using context clues and inference. 

God made a sweeping statement when He described Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 by giving Himself the name: “I Am.”  Using the context clues and inferences that I know about God and His nature, this amazingly brilliant and simple explanation tells me, like a three-way mirror, that God reflects God reflects God.  Genius.  Of course, we would expect nothing less than the most comprehensive description of God from God.  “I Am,” He is, He will be. 

Oh Lord, Our God-

You say “I am,”

That means “You will be...”

You are and you can.

When you say, “I am,”

You’re saying, “I’m there,”

You do, see, feel, know;

You listen and care,

You’re here, you’re there,

You were and still are;

By saying, “I am,”

You’re near and you’re far.

You’ve covered the now,

The here and the yet;

The past and before,

The time we’ve not met.

I am is I am,

No verb is above,

“To be” can’t be topped

When “I am” is love.

By saying, “I am,”

You’ve told us it all.

Right where we need you,

We simply must call.