Suddenly, I love how this correction ties slightly to yesterday's short unposted post:
John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (NIV)
One professor set me right on fire by bringing the Greek into this verse. In the beginning was the logos, the logic. I looked the definition up for a sermon that I'm writing, and one of the definitions is "divine inspiration". At first, I found this verse just down right confusing, especially when reading a little further. That first professor who explained this verse, also taught us to dig deeper when there's scripture that we don't agree with or don't understand. Wise words. Thankfully, especially with the internet, we have more resources to help us learn, but we must also never underestimate what we can learn in direct communion with God's Holy Spirit. We must pray and search His living and active Word.
I am thankful that my classes stir up a deeper passion for The Word!
Yesterday, there wasn't a devo published, due to various circumstances, including some time restraints. I worked three jobs and have been called back to a fourth. Each job was for a minimal number of hours (and pay, which is why so many), but they also allow me the flexibility that I need for our beekeeping, for family, and for ministry. One of the benefits of having such a flexible schedule is that I was able to attend a Bible study. I don't know how many churches are open right now, here in Simcoe, through this current lockdown, but I know of one and possibly two. I'd love to know if there's others. People often turn to church when in a time of crisis and I don't ever remember such a crisis as this pandemic. Not every family might be affected directly by the virus, but most families are very likely impacted by the ongoing restrictions in some way or another. It has been a very long year.
But back to the Bible study. One benefit of being there is the reminder that God continues to allow this and every situation that we experience - and the reminder to seek out why He does. What is His plan, His goal, and what is my role in that plan? Here am I, God, send me! Another benefit of being there is the encouragement of learning and being in fellowship together. We're currently only allowed groups of ten, maximum, but that's enough to be encouraged. We did happen to have a short and mild disagreement over a point that came up. It's one of those points that's not fully clarified in Scripture. It's one of those points that direct us deeper into Scripture. I am thankful that our Bible study stirs up a deeper passion for the Word!
As if Holy Spirit has something specific to lay on my heart today, I'm watching this episode of The Chosen, again, and another thought comes up. When I first heard about it, I wasn't interested in The Chosen. Great, another cheesy show about Jesus or Christianity? Not at all! Praise God! But when I first started watching it, I realized how easy it would be to pick at every single moment in the show. It's man-made, after-all. There's got to be lots to pick at. I then decided that I wasn't going to spend that kind of time, dissecting the entire series. It's lengthy and I'm bound to miss something or get something wrong. But is it really picking it apart or is it an opportunity to find little treasures within? And do they all need to be found at once? Yay! But all of this got me thinking even more. What if we were like that with our Bibles? What if we were so passionate about Scripture that we want to discover every little treasure within? Sure, if we've found Jesus, we've found the Ultimate Treasure! But if that's all there was to know or to learn then the Bible would just say "Jesus loves you and you need Him" and leave it at that. As someone who's distributed thousands of Scriptures, I have had at least one copy of some sort of adventure Bible. It was written for a young audience and when you have so many to move, you don't think much of everything that's available. I'm not one for writing or colouring in my Bible and have really turned to the usefulness of online Scriptures and Bible apps, but maybe it's time to go back to paper, dig out all my pretty colours, and actively seek out the treasures within! Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I do treasure "Little Pieces of Heaven", whether they're stones or even plastic beads that represent stones, or the people that I will spend eternity with, or the little truth nuggets of God's infinite love for us. I am thankful that my crazy, hectic, chaotic life stirs up a deeper passion for the Word! And in that Word, He is the Peace beyond understanding, the Order over chaos, the One Who quiets me with His love. I am thankful.
I am also thankful, as I prepare to post this, that He is able to take our mistakes and use them for His glory! I do not have to be afraid to be human! I am who God created me to be, He knew my challenges before I did, and He is able to do great things with my misgivings. He knows that I try to do better. In my imperfections, I see His Perfection. How Great is Our God! <3