Words

Words are powerful.  As the years go on and technology develops, it seems that words are increasing both in number and power.  Through our words on the internet, words draw us deeply into relationship.   More and more relationships start through words alone.  I have made a good friend solely through reading a blog and responding.  Our actual person to person meeting was a delight.   Through words alone I felt that I knew her well enough to make a significant journey to visit with her in person.  My judgement made only through words did not disappoint me.

This same friend has recently written that she has been given a Bible for an early Christmas present and is now beginning to read it.  The Word of God.  Christ identifies Himself as The Word in the beginning of the book of John.  Word in relationship with the Living God and the Spirit and then in turn with us, the receiving readers.  I deeply believe that the Word of God in the Bible is unique and that by some divine mystery it is the living breath and words of God, written in specific times of history by very human people.  As Christ is God in human form, the Bible is with us for all time, relational and deeply ingrained with God's character.  It is a way that God nourishes us humans.  It is His letter of love and care to us.  Somehow it also roots and grounds me and gives me a deep centering sense of my own place and story  in the context of the whole human family story.

At the same time, I am well aware that the Bible is not easy to unpack and digest.  Some people are drawn to read the Bible from cover to cover and emerge different people.  As wonderful as that is, I think they are the exception.

I think of the children that I work with.  Often feeding is not straightforward for them.  It is hard to get the nourishment offered.  Many of them have significant reflux.    Acid refluxes up  their esophagus, causing ulcering and irritation and severe pain after every feeding.  Feeding must be done slowly and sensitively in small, frequent amounts and because of the pain it is not always a pleasant and bonding experience.  Sometimes we as adults have been scarred by exclusive attitudes and hypocrisy of Christians over the years.  Reading the Bible, though wonderful nourishment, can cause searing pain because of our wounds.  Further, there are parts of the Bible that grate with our souls.  They do not fit with our heart understanding of who we know God to be.

We need to go slow.  Try to get the basics of the nourishment at first.  Understand the undergirding principles before tackling the more difficult passages.  Realize that life is full of extreme paradoxes, and that these are expressed in the Bible.  Much of the Bible must  be understood in the historical context in which it was written.  Even among sincere Christians who believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, there are differing views about many of the non central issues.  Don't get bogged down in the controversial stuff that gives you reflux pain.  Keep the big picture in mind and keep on going.

Often it is helpful to get help to know how to start reading the Bible.  It is a relational book that lends itself to relational reading with others.  Start with immersing yourself in the life of Jesus outlined in one of the first four books of the New Testament, either Luke, Matthew, Mark or John.  Just read one.  Maybe at this time of year with the birth of Jesus nearly here, try Luke, written by the gentle and understanding physician, who so clearly saw Jesus' care for the women, outcasts and sick.  I like having a kid's picture Bible beside me  so that I can really appreciate Jesus' interaction with those individuals around him.  Keep the historical Jesus at the heart of all your reading.  He says He is God in human form and He gives us the best understanding of who God is.  He really was a real person in history and somehow I cannot turn my back on this fact and the reality of both His life and His words.  Write down all your questions as you go.  God encourages sincere questions, especially when we ask with love and care for others.  God reminds me of us as earthly parents, seeking to help and guide our children. Sometimes they misunderstand our intentions and run away, rejecting our love.  God does not give up seeking us and showing us His love.  He is all about caring for us and restoring our relationship with him.  Over and over the Bible outlines people veering away from God and His love bringing them back to both Himself and  themselves and who they were fully created to be.

The rest of the books of the New Testament are primarily letters written to specific groups of people.  Start with books of joy and love such as Philippians.

Then, at the same time, you can start the Old Testament in little chunks.  The first books give an overarching sweep of the early history without any sugar coating!  Essentially they give the stories of God creating and initiating relationship, people turning away, God wooing them back into relationship and restoring them, over and over again.  Read some Psalms to feel the full expression of emotion that God welcomed from His people as they walk through life with God.

Many of us do read four different sections concurrently.  It gives a balanced view that keeps the love of Christ central.  There are many reading program outlines that can help with getting a balanced diet.  Go slow.  Chew and ruminate as you go.  The Bible sometimes requires a different kind of more meditative reading than we are used to.

My  friend,  I may be presumptuous to say this, but to me I see our dynamic and relational God filling you so much already.  Your gentle  love and care for so many is an amazing expression of His Spirit shining through you.  I love your expanding heart that reaches out in so many directions, even to try to more deeply understand God when it is scarey and unknown and from the outside may seem limiting.   It says in one of my favourite Psalms, 139, that we are wonderfully made!  God knows your loving and beautiful heart so well.    It is at this time of the year that I think of the young Mary, soon to give birth to a baby who would bring love, relationship and belonging to the world.  The angel told her, "Do not be afraid! The Lord is with you."  Hold fast to the truth you already know in the book of Corinthians 13 where it talks about how love is central.  God's love will lead and guide you in your reading and honest seeking.  Be totally yourself.  Pray for understanding.  Ask others.  Put the really hard stuff on the shelf to look at later when you have the general gist and are ready for really hard and tough food!  There are some things we will never really "get" about God because He is not just some One we have created ourselves.  He is Other and on some levels beyond our understanding.  Ultimately I have to believe that He can be trusted on the basis of the main emphasis of His words and the reflection of Him in the deep hearts of all the people He has made.  We see Him in all creation and everyone around us.  I  have been inspired by your love for your sister-in-law who gave you the Bible and who always seems so full of ever expanding love herself!  You are not alone on this exciting journey of life and discovery.  Let's all be open together, seeking wisdom and expanding understanding and most of all, deeper love and belonging together.

Words are powerful.  May they continue to bring us more deeply into growing relationships and knowing of one another, ourselves, and even God.  I love you.  Thanks for including us all in your ever expanding heart journey.