I admit I am not a brilliant “texter.” I like to read “real” words, full sentences, and proper grammar. In an age where the acronyms abound, I find the word “LOL” a bit humorous. Just add “ly” to it and you get ‘lolly’. It makes me think about that old cartoon that sings, “lolly lolly lolly, get your adverbs here.” Whatever.
But, today, something inspired me to write about an alternate meaning of LOL. Our church is going through a series of messages called “the Light.” One of the themed verses states, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). That was it… the three little words at the end of the verse: light of life. LOL, in a Christian view, means “Light Of Life.”
Maybe it doesn’t make sense to you. Maybe you don’t find it interesting. That’s okay. It made sense to me. I found it very interesting. Why? Because the word “light” has so many interpretations. The word light is encouraging. For example, if I am standing in a dark room and I light a candle, that little flame gives off enough light for me to see where I am or need to go.
The best natural example of light is our local star, the Sun. The Sun helps us to determine our course of days and seasons. It warms us when we are cold; it brings the process of life (photosynthesis) to plants. The Sun helps us to make vitamin D in our skin; it exposes the dangers that lurk in the dark.
The best spiritual example of light is Jesus Christ. He came humbly into the world, yet he lived boldly as a man on a mission. If he claimed to be the “light of life”, then he is either a liar or he is the true man he claimed to be. You can accept it or reject it. Either way, Jesus still claimed to be the original LOL.
We all have taken certain “lights” for granted. Electricity has changed so many things in modern culture. We forget how difficult it was for Mr. Edison to successfully create the lightbulb. But, he didn’t give up, and he succeeded. In the book of Genesis, chapter one, God says, “Let there be light.” And, guess, what? There was light! He made it so easy. It was a little harder for Edison, but he perservered, and we should be grateful for that invention.
So, as you text and write the new language of shorthand English, try and remember the alternate meaning of LOL. Maybe you’ll get a chuckle out of it. Maybe you’ll smile. Maybe you’ll roll your eyes at my post. I’m just glad I see a different meaning now. It put a new light on my perspective. 🙂
Becoming Process Driven 