SACRED READING--THE WORD

"They are your life.  So said Moses in Deuteronomy 32:47, referring to God's message to His people.

So many people, even believers and followers, do not really believe this or live as if they believe this.  We read some devotional book with a one page devotion, or maybe several different devotional books each day.  So do you want leftovers or fresh food?

As I teach Christian History right now, I make a distinction for my students between primary and secondary sources.  Primary sources are from "the horses' mouth" rather than someone's rehashing about the primary source, or a sermon, devotion--this blog for instance.

With the Bible, we need to get into the PRIMARY SOURCE, the Word itself, because "it is your life."  Yes, it is that important!

I am reading a book I would suggest written by Michael Casey, titled, Sacred Reading.  He discusses lectio divina--divine or sacred reading.  Yes, he is a monk, (though not a chipmunk--[oh, bad joke]), and he has great insight into reading the Bible and other sacred literature devotionally.

So often you and I read with the heart but not with the heart.  We read to "git 'er done" rather than "to hear from God," or we read for the next sermon or Bible study we will lead.  In school, we learn to read that way--get the assignment done--so I can move on to other/better things.  But in reading with the head, not the heart, we miss so very much!  Especially when it comes to reading the Bible.

We read fast, to finish, rather than to take our time and think and savor what we are reading.  We read not asking, "What do you want me to learn and apply from this passage today," but we read so as to check off that we have spent time reading God's Word, our devotion, our quiet time today.  Then we can get on with life, without God interfering too much in the way we want to live life.

But slowing down, reading devotionally, reading with the heart not the head implies that life will be different.  Casey says, "Where there is life, there is growth.  And with growth, change is inevitable."  (Casey, Sacred Reading, p. 100)

Instead we often focus on facts from the Bible--that is reading with the head.  "How many books are in the Bible?"  "Who wrote the book of Colossians?"  "Who led the Israelites through the wilderness and what were the names of the 12 apostles."  These may be good things, but maybe more important is "What did God say to you today--personally, individually--through His Word or your devotional reading.  When you read devotionally, do you just seek a "warm, fuzzy, good feeling" or do you seek to truly hear the voice of God, speaking to YOU?

When God speaks to us, these words, "they are your life."  They help us deal with situations of life we face or will face.  They grow us and mature us.  They convict us and work to restore us to His way when we have left His path and are wandering in our wilderness.

Reading with the head is good; better than nothing.  But reading with the heart is better; listening for the "still small voice" to gain food for living life.

Don't miss the best for the good.  Read it, the Primary Source, for yourself, daily, consistently, devotionally, slowly, savoring what is there.

Pick up a copy of Casey's book for more insight into how to read devotionally.  Maybe he isn't from your church or tradition, but could you learn something from him that might change your life.  Could it be that God could speak through someone, in a secondary source, different from your own tradition?  Well, can't God do anything?

Sacred Reading--"these words are not just idle words; they are your LIFE."