How clean is your Bible?
While you think about that question, let me tell you a little about shoes. I got new shoes this week, and they are already dirty. My new shoes came in the mail and the first thing I did was mess them up.
My new shoes are dirty because I bought them to workout in. I didn’t buy them to look good (truthfully, I’m not a huge fan of how they look anyway). I bought them to lift weights, run, ruck, and play a little bit of ball with the kids. So, the first thing I did when they came in the mail is lace them up for a quick two-mile ruck (What is rucking?) with Angela and Toby (the world’s greatest dog). When I got home, my new shoes were not new anymore.
A healthy life requires me to have dirty shoes. Heavy weights and long rucks will destroy these new shoes in about six months. But, my broken down, dirty shoes will be evidence of ball games with my kids, new bench press maxes (hopefully), and an overall active lifestyle. My broken down shoes are tools to keep me strong and to push back against cardio-vascular disease.
Dirty shoes tell a story.
Clean shoes tell a story.
And your Bible tells a story. Of course it tell THE STORY, the story of God’s creation and redemption of the world–but that’s not the story I’m talking about. Your physical Bible tells a story. A clean Bible is rarely evidence of a clean and healthy life.
Running shoes are made for running, and Bibles are made for reading.
How clean is your Bible? Is it still in mint condition or does it show signs of spiritual heavy lifting? Are there smudges, and underlines, and the occasional coffee drip? Does your Bible have tear stains and wrinkled pages? Are you a note-taker? Do you have bookmarks or ribbons?
Your Bible is a gift to be treasured, but it is not an artifact to be protected. Your copy of God’s word is a letter to be read and re-read. Your Bible is a tool, a map, and a guide for life. But, it is only helpful if it is used.
So, go read it. The pages in your Bible may grow dingy and brittle, but the word of the Lord stands forever, and it will re-write your story in God’s image!
