Monday, February 1, 2016

A Walk Through the Woods


What have you read so far in your Year of the Bible reading that has surprised you? Have you read a passage and found new understanding and meaning? Have you read a story and realized that there was much you’d misunderstood before?  

Why are there two rather different Creation stories? Why have we developed so much mythology around the visit of the Magi? How long was Noah, his family, and all those animals on the Ark? Which is the best word to use in the Lord’s Prayer: “sin”, “debt”, or “trespass”?

I am thrilled that we have such a large group participating in the Year of the Bible. The Bible can appear daunting: all those thin pages, the tiny print, the stories that so often seem confusing, troubling, or just out-of-date. And then there are all those translations – is the only acceptable Bible one filled with Elizabethan English words such as, “thou”, “thee”, “thine”? 

And then there’s all that violence in the early pages of the Old Testament, all those prophets intoning their warnings to repent, all Jesus’ often confusing parables, all Paul’s lists, and that wild, Technicolor ending!

Reading through the Bible is like taking a hike through the woods. Some trails are flat, sunny, and easy. Other trails are winding, rocky, steep, and difficult. Some trails take us through deep, dark forests, while others lead us seemingly into the clouds.

But as you hike through the woods, you begin to get comfortable with your surroundings. You learn how to take the difficult trails slowly and steadily. You learn not take the easy trails for granted. You develop an appreciation for your surroundings: the trees, the wildlife, the rocks, the sky, the silence, the wonder.

Reading through the entire Bible will, we all hope, help you to grow more comfortable as you walk through the pages of any of the Bible’s books. Reading through the entire Bible will, we all hope, inspire and encourage you to take more regular sojourns through the pages of Scripture, with your mind and heart open to the Spirit’s teaching.

Lent, which begins this year on February 10th, is a particularly appropriate time to walk through the pages of Scripture, beginning with those stirring words we hear on Ash Wednesday through the prophet Joel, Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, … rend your hearts and not your clothing.”

But even if you are not participating in the Year of the Bible, there are wonderful books by eminent writers that can help you to hear God’s word to you, writers such as Henri Nouwen, Barbara Brown Taylor, Frederick Buechner, Fleming Rutledge, and Anne Lamott. We’ve got many of their books in our library – stop by and browse.

Read. Listen. Learn. Let God’s Holy Spirit guide and help you. Open your eyes, your mind, your ears, and your heart to the Word of the Lord - and enjoy the walk!

Grace & peace,
Pastor Skip