Scripture is the single most important tangible possession that a person can own. It gives instructions for living and more importantly, the story of the gospel from start to finish to show us the way to salvation through Christ. Every verse in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation tells a portion of the story of redemption and shows Christ as it's grand subject.
But when I say that I am thankful for my Bible, I mean that on a very personal level. My parents gave me my Bible for Christmas in 1990. It has my name embossed on the maroon leather front cover and when I married, I proudly added my new last name to it. I know that many people do not like to write or underline in their Bibles, but I have twenty years worth of writing, underlining and highlighting in between the covers. It contains the the things I learned from Beth Moore studies, my own reflection during my quiet time and hundreds of sermons given by men of God on Sunday morning.
There is nothing that I can add to scripture to make it better. As a matter of fact, that would be anathema to do so, but all of my notations are road maps in my continuing journey to spiritual maturity. I have quotes from John Piper, RC Sproul, John Calvin and Martin Luther in the margins, indicating times in my study when their wise words helped me to better understand a passage or verse.
The pages are soft and well used. The cover is worn and coming apart in some places, but feels just right in my hands. In it I carry a bookmark given to me by my grandmother when Gramps died that has a copy of his obituary on it...a short testament to a beautiful life lived for the glory of God. There's always a stray bulletin or two between the pages, and a paper with the passages to read for Sunday school each week.
It's more than just a book simply by virtue of being the inspired Word of God. Even if I never wrote one word in it, or underlined one passage it would still be the most important book that I own. But because it has been well used and loved, it means so much more to me. It's a legacy of all the knowledge and wisdom I've accrued over the years; information that has helped to make me the person that I am today in Christ. I pray that one day my children will read my Bible and not be surprised by what I've written, but be able to say instead that they saw me put my knowledge to use in a life lived for Christ and His glory.
1 comment:
That is beautiful, and I so agree. I can't imagine an electronic Bible meaning near as much to me as my physical one!
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