When you’ve watched someone face their own mortality, it truly changes you. I’ve shared before that suddenly what used to be important is no longer important. It’s a quick filter for realizing quickly what is eternal, and what isn’t. I’ve been feeling convicted lately about something. I know that the Holy Spirit has been impressing on me that I should not be taking for granted The Bible. Bear with me as I process “outloud” why I feel this way.

The Bible is truly the most remarkable love letter and supernatural thing ever given to man. Historically, it’s been proven to be accurate time and time again. Although not always referred to, most households have one. Thanks to The Gideons, you can find one in almost every hotel room, waiting room, and other odd places. It remains the most published book in the world. In my lifetime, I have seen the reverence for The Bible go from absolute respect as the words of truth, to society questioning it’s validity. As I consider the reason’s why, it’s quite sad to think that this amazing resource of wisdom, truth, and power, is often overlooked. It seems as if people would rather listen to man’s advice in a self-help book, tv show, or seek a counselor who doesn’t even consider The Bible as a reliable reference. When the Word of God is thrown aside and replaced with human wisdom, there are consequences. The foundational truths about who God is, who we are to God, and who we are to each other-are life changing and life saving. Ultimately, the scriptures reveal God’s plan for fixing all that is wrong though Jesus.

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

I love that version! “…it makes us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out…well prepared…” Who wouldn’t want that for themselves?!

If you’re not sure that you believe the validity of The Bible, can I just ask you to investigate it a little further for yourself? If The Bible is true, you are missing out on the greatest map for life. It’s the instruction manual that we were given to navigate our way through this life. Don’t let your bad experience at church, or with someone who claimed to be a Christian, keep you from seeking out the truth for yourself. Unfortunately, Christian’s don’t always do a good job of always representing the heart of Jesus. You might find this video interesting: https://youtu.be/ak06MSETeo4

Now, if you’re new to reading The Bible, I know that it can seem intimidating. However, don’t discredit the power of God to help open your eyes and mind to what it is that He wants you to know. That’s the beauty of The Bible. Even those who have read The Bible for a long time, can open a passage and read something fresh. The Word of God is alive! Now I could copy and paste a whole lot of scripture, but I’d like to send you on a scavenger hunt. Grab you’re own Bible and read these verses:

That is just a few. There are many more passages that confirm the power and importance of The Word of God in our lives. Friends, we don’t have to completely understand everything that we read that’s in The Bible for God to touch us and use it to empower us. I firmly believe that God hides treasures in His Words. He knows when we are ready for the exact time to find them, but we have to do our part! We have to pick up our Bibles, open them, and read. We have to start somewhere. Sometimes reading a passage may still seem confusing, but when you feel yourself come alive inside-that’s God making a deposit in you and in His time, it will make sense.

Now, I told you at the beginning that I’ve been feeling convicted about taking God’s word for granted. So, I’m talking to myself too as I write this. As Sarah’s cancer progressed she loved her Bible more and more. There were middle of the night hospital request for me to just read her Bible out loud to her. Sometimes she just wanted to hold it as she tried to sleep. It brought her peace, strength, and hope, when the battle was raging. She was desperate for the spiritual insight that it brought. Do I have to reach the point of desperation too, before I love my Bible the same way? I have access to my Bible every day. It’s a simple matter of prioritizing and desiring God’s word above my FB feed, the weather, the news, or whatever meaningless thing that the enemy wants to use.

Oh God, help me crave your words above all else! Help me to recognize that I am desperate for YOU! Your words bring life. Open my eyes to the treasures that you want me to find there. Open my heart to fix whatever is broken. Open my mind to understand what it is you want to teach me. Open my hands to let go of whatever it is that I’m holding onto and shouldn’t be. Set me in the direction that you want me to go. Ignite in me a craving for Your Word.

Amen.