Believe: THE BIBLE

There is just something nice about getting a letter in the mail. You go outside, walk down your sidewalk or driveway, open the front flap of your mailbox and gaze inside. You see a pile of bills, coupons, advertisements, your monthly subscription magazine, and plenty of other things you would classify as “junk mail.” But tucked into the midst of this variety of colorful paper and cardstock, something else catches your eye. It’s a letter. This letter is not like the others. There are pen marks that were written out by hand, scratching out the lines and curves of the letters of the alphabet that spell out your name, your address, your home. It may have travelled many miles and been through many hands, but it has reached your doorstep and it’s addressed to you. Maybe it’s from a friend, a family member, or a longtime acquaintance. Whoever it is, there is something special about receiving this bundle of paper. You eagerly tear off the envelope and grasp the lined notebook paper to glimpse at what it could be about…what it will tell you.
 
This week, as we continue our Believe series, we come to the Bible. What do you believe about the Bible? If you were to go around asking this question to random strangers, you might receive quite the variety of answers. Some would say that it is a book that just teaches some good moral lessons, some might argue that it is old-fashioned, outdated, and really doesn’t matter to someone living in modern society. You might have others who think that it’s a book of fables, tall tales, and images that convey some deeper meanings. You would have others that would say it’s the Word of God, the carrier of ultimate truth that sets the standard and worldview of a Christian. Some may have little to no experience with the pages of the Bible and yet others may have read it cover to cover and have studied it their whole life. What would your answer be? What do you believe about the Bible? And what difference does it make in your life?
 
While the Bible is quite the combination of history, stories, moral lessons, rules, standards, imagery, and poetry, what if you considered the entire Bible put all together as one giant letter addressed to you? Have you ever thought of that before? That the whole of the Old and New Testaments are God’s designed, handwritten letter delivered and given to you. It’s got your name and your address on it. It’s ready to be opened and read by your eyes and it doesn’t stop there. It rushes into your heart and soul and impacts and influences everything about you. What in this letter would cause such an astonishing reaction? This letter contains the very truth of the universe, the very words that give you assurance and hope, peace and joy, purpose and understanding. This letter tells you about the God who made all that you see and experience, who loves you despite your rebellion against Him, and the amazing reality that He pursues you and longs for you to be His child. It’s quite the journey.
 
The Bible, this letter from God, invites us to open its pages and read, learn, and grow in our understanding, our appreciation, and our knowledge of who we are, who God is, what He has done, and what He continues to do in our lives. It’s like that letter that you continuously go back to re-read, to be encouraged, to be amazed, inspired, and awakened to how much you matter to the Creator of the Universe.
 
From one reader to another,
Pastor Ben