Back to the Basics
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Insight
Two years ago, my husband and I bought our first pop-up camper. Amid the Coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions, we knew we had to invest in some form of a summer vacation plan that would allow us to explore and adventure with our kids. The solution: camping!
While it's definitely better than a tent, pop-up camping still isn't for the faint of heart. Between the black flies, no open shower facilities, and a few scorcher days, it's been quite an adjustment from our typical hotel pool vacation lifestyle.
Camping was a return to our roots, almost like a "back to the basics" of our childhoods. When our world felt like it was spiraling out of our control, camping felt like something we COULD do to bring joy and adventure into our summer despite the unknowns.
In the very same way, amid a world that often feels messy, a back to the basics approach to reading Scripture can help ground us in what is real and what is true. Going back and revisiting the very places where we first fell in love with God helps us remember the hope of leaning hard into Him.
Often we're prepared for most of the things that happen in life. We study, plan, rehearse. But how do we plan for life itself when it's simply happening around us?
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, saying, "All scripture is inspired by God." Using the word inspired here, Paul means "God-breathed". Imagine the breath of God, like dust particles spreading life and hope into existence. His words aren't just text. They are the very essence of who God is. By immersing ourselves in the Bible, we're snuggling in close to our Father. We can feel His very presence, and we can connect intimately with Him by being in His Word.
Paul continues by saying that God's breath is used to "prepare man to do God's good work." A quick Google search reveals that much has been written on this powerful phrase, "good work." Some of the words others use to describe what Paul means here include things like: equipped, rooted, furnished. It's quite powerful to think of our hearts as empty rooms filled with beautiful dressings when we allow God's words to permeate.
So how do we do our best to prepare for life when sometimes it just happens to us? The answer then is straightforward. We prepare for the sometimes chaotic and challenging nature of life by remaining close to the One who created us. By returning to the very basics of being in a relationship with Him, we do what we already know how to do: open the Bible, read Scripture. We snuggle up close to our Father and enter into His presence. The comfort of knowing and being known by Him gives us the courage to face anything that comes our way.
I'll admit that sitting down to study Scripture isn't an everyday occurrence for me. I suspect many of us are in the same boat. And we can talk about this as much as we want, but the truth is that until we take ownership of the need for Scripture in our lives, we won't ever be privy to the best He has for us. The interior rooms of our hearts will remain empty, or worse, polluted by our broken world.
When we commit to doing the prep work ahead of time, much like pop-up camping adventures, we'll be more prepared when the flies get bad or can't find any shade. We're able to deal with the unknowns that come our way because we've already done the work to be close to the One whose breath created us.
Open the Bible, read Scripture. Let's do it together!
Reflection
When thinking about getting back to the basics of Scripture reading for yourself, what is your first right step?
Spend some time today journaling about your first experience with God and what first drew you to Him.
Prayer
Father, thank you for breathing into existence the very essence of who You are so that we can read and re-read Your words for all time. We come to You now asking You to draw us close. Give us the desire for a deeper relationship with You. Draw our hearts into Your heart. We love You, Father. We're so grateful for the gift of Your friendship! Amen
Port City writer Kaitlyn Boscaljon wrote today's devotional.