Christian Living
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BY COMMENTING
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
I have to admit that sometimes reading the Bible is a lot like looking at my face in the mirror. And probably not in the way you are thinking. It is familiar. I look at my face and most of the time see nothing new. I see my dark and slightly graying roots growing in at my hairline as usual. I see my same green eyes and the dark circles under my eyes – thanks genes! I see my same lips and same teeth and I can glance at my face in the mirror literally a hundred times a day and be nearly un-phased by the experience.
This is how reading the Bible feels at times! I read passages that seem so familiar I barely notice that I have read at all. It has been an especially disturbing revelation as I have decided this year to utilize the One Year Bible that has been sitting on my shelf. I read one or two days reading each night (because sometimes I skip a day and need to catch up!) and am surprised at how casually I breeze through the reading.
Shouldn't I be taking this seriously? Am I doing this wrong? Do I need to set the mood? Is just reading the Bible getting it into my brain? Are the words supernaturally getting somewhere deep into my spirit unconscious? Am I freaking out?!?
The routine it has become is especially disturbing to me when I experience real moments of “getting it;” which is exactly what happened last night. I was reading the parable about the master who forgave a huge debt and the servant who threw his fellow servant into jail for a small debt. (Matthew 18:21-35) Now, I have heard several Sunday morning messages about the meaning and application of this passage, but as soon as I read the section I knew what it meant for me in that moment.
I've never been a person who had “enemies” and unless I'm completely delusional, more or less get along with most people. However, there is one person in my past that I feel hurt me badly. I hung on to the relationship thinking something would come of it, but it only ended in me being heart broken and feeling mistreated. When I talked to this person after I could stand it no longer, instead of getting the apology I thought I deserved, they did not take responsibility and did not feel they needed to apologize. I was MAD. I was sad. I was frustrated. I would visibly boil over in anger at the bare mention of this person's name. It is been years since that relationship ended, and the fire of my anger has died down, but the feelings of being terribly wronged still linger.
After reading the passage, I felt exactly like the servant, having been forgiven of such a huge debt (all my sins!) and yet, still (in my heart) demanding the payment of an apology from my fellow servant. I imagined myself wagging my forgiven finger in their face, saying, “You give me that apology now, or else!” Not a pretty picture to see in the mirror this time. I immediately prayed, telling God that I still feel like I deserve that apology, but I don't want to be the wicked servant who can't forgive. I asked for help forgiving and asked that I myself would be forgiven.
If reading the Bible was like that experience every time I read it, I might get a little emotionally exhausted. I keep up the routine in expectation of the “getting it” moment knowing that I don't just read to get a life altering "come to Jesus" moment every time. Just like I don't keep believing in God just for getting things from him or having emotional highs all the time. I do believe looking at the familiar over and over does have a benefit. If I know my usual face I can see if something unusual develops, like a new freckle or suspicious spot. The more I allow myself to experience the familiar words of the Bible the more likely I will be able to use the words and apply them when I need to. It is good to know we can trust the words of Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (NLT)
[email protected]
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 305 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Rebecca Kaufman or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 305 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.