Jah Works, Inc.

We are often asked what the meaning is of our name, “Jah Works”. Let’s break it down…

Pronounced /jä/ (with a hard “j”), Jah isn’t a common word in American English, but is heard throughout Jamaican culture. If you’ve listened to reggae, you’ll have heard “Jah” in many lyrics. Essentially, it is a shortened version of the Hebrew “Yahweh” (i.e. the personal name of God), and is a reference to a higher power.

So, why “Jah”? Because we believe that a life-force greater than ourselves guides the work we are doing. Bob Marley says it well…

Which brings us to “Works”. Defined as “a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do”, it is what effects change. Take action, do the hard work, get the results.

This perspective is spot on: (learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer here)

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Tweet

In it’s early years, Jah Works (before it was known as such!) was a small project within a Methodist church. As our roots are in Christianity (the kind that actively seeks justice for those who are marginalized), this bit of scripture speaks to our belief that faith without action is dead:

“Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? ― Book of James, Chapter 2, Verses 14-17

“Outrageous nonsense”. there is plenty SURROUNDING EACH OF US in the world today. Let’s continue the Jah Works: TAKING THE ACTION TO DO THE GOOD, that leads to a life of Truth!

One Love and Respect, Every Time.