I meet each week with some young ladies, and we have been working through
"The Bible Made Impossible" together. Because the book is very scholarly, it's been a challenge and at times a struggle to understand what the author is saying; this has been good for us. This week as we were praying together, we sensed the Lord encouraging us to approach the book sort of like we would look at this plaque:
 |
| Look for the word JESUS on the plaque. |
We've all seen these kinds of illusions; we know that the way to see
what we are meant to see in them is either to step back a little ways
from it
or to squint the eyes when looking at it or to stare at it for awhile. In other words, you
have to quit trying to focus so hard on all the details of the picture
in order to capture the meaning of it. As I've thought about this, I believe it can be applied to how we approach Scripture; and I believe this, in part, is what Christian Smith is attempting to say in
"The Bible Made Impossible." The big main message of the Bible (which is
JESUS) should be our primary pursuit, rather than the many other topics that appear there.
Far from being a cop out or excuse for laziness, this approach requires dependence on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and a willingness to step back a little ways from entrenched ways of scrutinizing Scripture in order to see
JESUS, and that process is difficult and requires effort!
And so again, I pray for the help of the Spirit of God for myself and for all His people as we lean on Him to lead us to
JESUS, the living Word who is the Center and Focus of the written Word! Blessings on your week...
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