Wreck Your Bible
It may have been a childhood stuffed animal. It lost all its stuffing and was floppy and raggedy. It had stains all over it and was impossible to clean after so many years of use. You took it everywhere with you. It went on many adventures with you, remember? Vacations, tea parties, sleepovers, playdates, and never ever did you leave your dear stuffed friend behind.
Maybe it was a blanket or toy that was your favorite loved item. A picture that you took out to look at so many times that it was bent, worn, and jagged around the edges. A most loved book that had pages torn, wrinkled, and even missing because it was read many times over during storytime or bedtime, snuggled under the covers with someone you loved.
Sometimes we love something so much that it stays in perfect condition. Always.
It's so very precious that it is stored away safely, never to be used. We put it high on a shelf so no one can reach it. It is locked away in the curio cabinet to be seen, but not touched. Fine china, grandma's antique doll collection, or mom's crystal bowl that was passed down from generation to generation.
Some people have "no shoe" houses. That's not mine, although I sometimes secretly wish it were. Those homes always look so clean and neat and tidy. My carpets have paint spills, tears from pets, and unrecognizable stains that throw rugs only hope to hide.
I even remember growing up in the '80s and having several friends who had plastic on their couches. Now that's someone who doesn't want anyone to get too comfortable and overstay their welcome. 😉 We personally use fabric couch covers, blankets, and lots and lots of pillows as distractions from the drinks, food, and nail glue that have spilled onto our couches. Yes, that nail glue was mine. I know. I know. You see now why I wish at times I had a "no shoe" house?
In either case, when you love something, it's obvious.
They are either loved to death, ragged and miscategorized as ruined, or untouchable, left in pristine condition, forever brand new. Think about how you treat the things you love dearly. Do you treat them with extreme care and gentleness? Do you hold them so tightly that they end up worn and tattered? Both answers seem correct. Things dear to us should certainly be treated specially.
- Kindly
- Gently
- Carefully
- Safely
Things and people you care about should absolutely be cared for in these ways. If you love something, it should be treated as a precious possession and held with honor. But they should also be treated in a different kind of special way.
- Held tightly
- Used often
- Kept close
- Loved always
So what do we do?
Do we keep it at a distance, hide it away, only to look at but don't touch? Or do we handle it, keep it as a close companion, and enjoy it? Now I'm not saying that you should take out Grandma's fine china and give it to your toddler for a tea party, but I would encourage you to use things that you love. Don't wait for the right occasion to wear that precious piece of jewelry or the perfect time to put on that beautiful dress with the tags still on. And what about the bible that's been sitting on your shelf? The one your friend gave you when you were struggling. The one mom and dad gave you when you were confirmed in Middle School. The one that you bought because you made a New Year's resolution that you were going to read your bible more and figured if you had a real cool one, it would inspire you, but you only made it past January 7th two years ago and never opened it again. You know what you should do?
Wreck it!
Read it every day. Take it with you to church, Starbucks, bed, the beach, the bathtub, school. Throw it in your backpack, purse, car. Wake up and read it in the morning, over coffee, before bed. Write notes in it, underline, highlight. Turn down the pages, shove in it pictures, sticky notes, and bookmarks. Yes, sometimes plural. I currently have two. One in Proverbs and one in Ezekiel, because let's be honest, who takes what they read in Ezekiel and carries it with them throughout their day? But "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 12:15), "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4) or "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9) Now those words written by Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, are words to live by and can change your life!
So read it, live it, love it, and live happily ever after, after. After you wreck your bible.
These commandments that I give you today
are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9
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