WATCHWORD:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Jesus said, 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
Meditation:
Read the Bible
Years ago, I read through the Bible, just straight through from Genesis to Revelations. I told myself: “I did it, I read the whole Bible. Yippee!”
What’s wrong with that? Well for one thing, my only goal was to read through the Bible! Get it done, move right on through. Another thing wrong with that had to do with digestion. How many of those passages I read, did I chew on and swallowed, that became part of me? Yep, you’re right, just a few, if any.
Okay, now I am reading through Paul’s epistles, slowly, one letter at a time, often rereading to capture the meaning. I just finished 1 Thessalonians 4, and it’s surprising how the meaning, or Paul’s intent in writing the letter, has deeper meaning for me. As I read and considered, in human terms, what was happening in Thessalonica at the time, and Paul’s predicament, it dressed up the words and took on more meaning.
I try to imagine the apostles, having witnessed the ministry of Jesus; the healings, the miracles, and the lessons that he taught, and then trying to put all of that first-hand knowledge into everyday words to communicate to the churches. Had to be God-inspired.
Think about Mark, one of the youngest of the disciples, who is writing the first letter to the churches. I can only imagine he struggled to find the right words and the right phrases to touch the hearts of the reader. At some point, he must has thought: “I can only describe the witnessed ministry with common words, and trust God to provide the inspiration that leads to understanding.”
How do you read the Bible? I mean seriously, when you open the Bible, maybe to some selected passage as suggested by the devotional in your hand, what are you thinking when you read? Do you pause to digest? Do you to pause to think? Are your thoughts a kind of commentary on what you have read?
With some frequency, I ask myself some questions about what I was reading. Questions like: “So, somewhat?” “What have I learned here?” “How does that help my Christian walk, my relationship with God?” “How does this deepen my faith?”
I have had conversations with friends who are strong Christian leaders whose questions to me about my faith made me feel insecure, and just a bit intimidated. I was once challenged with the question “Do I believe in the virgin birth?” From that person’s reaction, I guess I failed the litmus test. Does it matter if I believed in the virgin birth, or Jonah and the whale or Jesus walking on water, or anything else in the Bible, from a literal standpoint?
My response to that first question was; I don’t know, but, what I do know and believe is the Resurrection, which means that I believe that Jesus is God incarnate. How God arranged for himself to be delivered, to experience humanity, and how He chose to communicate His Love, that’s between God and…God. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
The dilemma: A common occurrence in the life anyone, including Christians: Our minds first wonder, then they wander, then they get lost and can’t find their way back to that which caused us to wonder. Got it? ©Escott 2021
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect. Thank You for offering gentle grace and guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
