Today’s scripture: James 1:22-25 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ciemone Easter-Rose):
Psst. I have a confession to make. I have not read the entire Bible! I know, it’s shameful, right? Here I am, entreating people to God’s Word, using the Bible to attempt to encourage and inspire others, when in fact, there are several books that I have NEVER read myself. Smells a little like hypocrisy doesn’t it? I imagine however that this may be the case for many other Christians as well. Certainly, there are those who, like me, have probably overly-relied on the direction and interpretation given by others, rather than absorbing the bulk of the material firsthand. While there is nothing wrong with receiving from others, it is no substitute for our own direct contact with God’s Word. For me, this confession is kind of ironic, because I have spent a significant portion of my life yearning for some great “truth” to reveal itself to me, but I have yet to take the most basic step forward in pursuing that truth. Sure, I sometimes delve deeply into a passage, or even an entire book here and there. But a dedicated and thorough reading of the entire text? No way. Today’s passage has finally convicted me on that last point.
So what’s gotten in my way? Well, for starters, I’ve bought into many of the usual excuses not to read The Bible. It’s long (true), it’s boring (at times), it’s difficult to understand (depending on translation), it contradicts itself (on the surface), it’s been mistranslated (and re-translated), misinterpreted, and misused. Okay, but what gives? These sound like really poor excuses for not reading a book that is supposed to be the cornerstone of my faith. Surely, it is foolish to base my beliefs on a book that I have willfully overlooked significant segments of, simply because I lacked both the patience and discipline to push through. Besides, I’m academic-ish, I should be able to handle those types of challenges. More importantly though, isn’t the Bible for everyone? The reality is that I’ve just been complacent about it. Otherwise, I would have pushed through by now.
Today’s scripture states: “Don’t just listen to Gods Words. You must do what it says” (v. 22). That is where it really gets to me. How am I supposed to do what “it” says, if I haven’t even bothered to read all of what it says? While I never claimed to be a Bible expert, today’s scripture makes me think that maybe I ought to try to be. Not so that I can go toe to toe (or scripture for scripture) with anyone about what the Bible does or does not condone, but simply so that I myself can have a better understanding of what it is I am supposed to be doing in this world and the messages that God has in the Bible for me. What better way to internalize something of great importance to me, than consuming it directly from the source? I’m ready to receive–not passively, but actively. I’m ready to do more than just listen.
Question for the Day: How are you following God’s Words in Your life; and how well do you know the Words you are following?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.