In
the beginning, God…
Genesis 1:1
My desire was honorable—quickly get the
entire biblical picture and then slowly delve into those areas where I have the
least knowledge. It began well as I read Genesis chapters one through eleven
and then turned to the book of Job. However, something began to happen as I continued
to read. I got slower and slower. I could not stop myself from underlining,
re-reading, thinking, praying, asking God questions and pointing my finger at Job’s
“friends”.
It did not take me long to remember what, in
my zeal to reach my ninety-day goal, I had apparently forgotten. The Bible is
not a book. It is the Word of God. It is holy, and precious, and reaches into
the depths of my heart. When I read God’s Word, He reveals to me who I am. I
see my faults and failures as well as my strengths. I see where I began, who I
am now and who I can be.
When I read the Word of God, I see Jesus
walking through the pages, not only of history, but of my life. I remember the
walk down the right-side aisle of my church and the river of tears as Jesus
became my personal Savior. Memory flashes replay moments, happy and sad, when I
know my God walked alongside me.
When I read the Word of God, I find peace,
joy, happiness, contentment and the security of knowing that He has never
failed and He will never fail me.
So, here I am almost ninety days later, finally
to the book of Jonah—July 7th’s reading. Needless to say, I am not
going to make my goal (at least not the original goal). I suppose I am back to
my old goal, one I set many years ago—to know God.
I am glad God has a sense of humor. I am
sure He laughed as He listened to my conversation with my pastor—not at me—but
with me—knowing that I would now be laughing at myself. I am glad my God is patient, kind, generous,
steadfast, trustworthy, faithful…
I must admit that I am looking forward to
the “Amen” in Revelation 22:21. And, while it will take me longer than expected
to get there, I am enjoying the journey. So for today, I’m off to watch God
work in someone’s life besides mine. Poor Jonah!
Even so some, Lord Jesus...
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