Our Metaphors Matter
Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least amount of space. (Orson Scott Card)
If you want to change the world, you have to change the metaphor. (Joseph Campbell)
Metaphor – “A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.”
In her July, 2020 article, The Words that Help us Understand the World, Hélène Schumacher states that “aside from injecting color and imagery into language, metaphors serve a functional purpose; they can explain complex concepts we may not be familiar with, help us to connect with each other, and can even shape our thought processes. They help us better understand our world.” Furthermore, I would argue that metaphors have the ability to not only reveal a narrative, or world view, but also influence it and the roles we see ourselves and others playing within it. In the words of Parker J. Palmer, in Let Your Life Speak, “Metaphors are more than literary devices… Animated by the imagination, one of the most vital powers that we possess, our metaphors often become reality, transmuting themselves from language into the living of our lives.” (p. 96)
An example of this can be seen through Leadership Foundations’ understanding of “city as playground.” An organization that has historical roots in Young Life, both in its commitment to an incarnational approach and through it’s early and present day leaders (Former Young Life staff, Reid Carpenter and David Hillis to name just two), it is committed to, in the words of Zechariah 8:4-5, to see cities as places where “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
Leadership Foundations chooses to not embrace the metaphor of “city as battleground.” Rather, the ramifications of “city as playground” and the narrative that follows are significant; theologically, socially and economically. Theologically, God is seen as a friend of the city rather than a foe. Socially, neighbors are seen as colleagues rather than competitors. Instead of seeking (or avoiding) an enemy and fighting a battle, this metaphor aligns people as human beings, at times facing bullies; but together in their humanity and heart for their city. Economically, “city as playground” moves the narrative from scarcity to abundance, and provides space for not only individuals, but churches, businesses and other institutions to influence the vibrant, creative, life-giving opportunities of a city. Finally, “city as playground” is an effort to allow people of good faith and people of good will to partner for a city’s best. To understand “common grace,” to live out the incarnation and recognize God’s movement in all and through all.
As we consider the prevalence and power of metaphors, we can look to the Bible. For example, in Matthew 5:13, Jesus is quoted as saying, “You are the salt of the earth.” Then again, in 5:14, he says, “You are the light of the world.” In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” All of these metaphors serve to communicate truth, and each of them influence the paradigm or narrative we live in and the roles we play.
Consider for a moment the metaphors that we are surrounded with… What might they tell us about our narratives? How might they influence the way we see our roles and those of others? Consider the church… Is it a club with members who pay dues, an army with soldiers, or a body with many parts? How about Young Life? What metaphor might you use to describe our eighty-three-year-old mission? I have heard some refer to it as a family; others, a body. What do you think? Finally, how about teenagers? Are they tornadoes or hurricanes, wreaking havoc wherever they go? Are they untrained horses or dogs pulling at the leash, as some have been known to suggest? Are they a “white paper,” taking on any impression? Or, perhaps they are clay; malleable, full of potential.
What do you think? Do our metaphors matter? How might you answer some of the above questions? I’d love to hear from you at jschultz@sc.younglife.org .
If you would like to learn more about Leadership Foundations, “City as Playground,” you can find a recent publication featuring the writings of various authors here.
Written by: Jonathan Schultz – Sr. Director, Young Life Community Network