| Sunny Side Up Jan 7, 2004 �2004, Kathleen Gibson Don't rush through Scripture this year For years I started almost every year resolving to read the Bible through during that calendar. But last 'year' it took me three. Two, the time before. I can't just zip through Holy Writ anymore, you see. I dawdle. Reflect, journal. Pray over those words. Compare them with other passages. Early this morning, I plunked down in my green prayer chair and picked up my Bible. The bookmark sat in the book of Joshua, where the author meticulously recites lengthy lists of real estate holdings and their tribal owners. When I come to those lists-genealogies, tribes, kings-I sometimes bend God's ear with a litany of complaints. I tell him (respectfully, of course) that I find that part of his Word highly tedious. And would he mind if I skipped to something more interesting? Today though, I asked him to teach me something from all those statistics and endless lists. The page didn't light up. I kept reading. Ploughed through a few more chapters, then skipped on over to the Psalms and read the 104th. I love that psalm. It's a favorite of nature-lovers and God-lovers alike. I mulled over phrases like these: 'He stretches out the heavens like a tent'. 'The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down'. 'He waters the mountains from his upper chambers'. And, 'He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate.' In the dark of this morning, in my green prayer chair, God flicked on my light switch. My two readings combined to help me understand something of why he may have included those monotonous listings. Unlike me (at least in many areas) God is an organized Being. He pays excruciating attention to every detail concerning both mankind and nature. He takes inventory! Formulates plans and works them. Makes lists, checks them twice-of all things naughty and all things nice. (Though it's not true of the man in red, it's certainly true of God.) God is the ultimate record-keeper. Minutia is his forte. He sweats the small stuff. With supreme organization he sustains, upholds, and works out his ultimate plan for all creation. It's true-he does hold the whole world in his hand. My prayer is to be used of God. To become more like him. Today, those lists called me to attention. To live life more efficiently. To be more organized. Intentional. Ouch. I've definitely not arrived. The 'people lists' reminded me to be reverently conscious of the infinite worth of those he brings into my life. Each has an indelible place in eternity's vast inventory. Even the people I'd never, in a billion years, put on any lists of my own. God and I have work to do in 2004. In me. Heartwork. See why I don't speed-read scripture anymore? It's vastly more important to take the time to let the revelation of the Bible get through, than simply to get through to Revelations in time. You can respond to this column at [email protected] |
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