Take the challenge: Did the Bible live in you, today?

This month I have been challenged with this question: Did the Bible live in me today? When I think of an answer, the Bible seems too big to dwell in me.  Although “[a]ll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17), all 66 books seem just too much for one person to handle.

Therefore, I focused on a few scriptures I had ingested, digested and ruminated on like eating a delectable dessert. For example, one evening my friend and I went to TGI Friday’s for coffee and dessert.  Dessert is my favorite meal. I’m not partial, but I do have my preferences. Often I don’t mind trying something new if the ingredients are palatable.

When the waitress brought the menu, I asked what she recommended. My friend said, if it were chocolate she would eat it. I, on the other hand, needed to look at the offerings first to see what was mouthwatering before digestion.

Sometimes the Bible scriptures we act and reflect upon are similar to how we choose dessert; what is pleasing and makes us feel good.  Such as Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” At first I simple ingested these words. But over the years, I’ve digested each word swallowing and absorbing its flavor.

Just as Janet, my friend, knew the brownie made with Ghirardelli chocolate-fudge sauce, topped with caramel, pecans and ice-cream would please her sweet tooth, I know this scripture lives in me because all the good things that happened in my life were by God’s design. My plan to break the corporate glass ceiling, instead for 13 years I was a stay-at-home mom learning the craft of writing. Then I planned to write full-time; however, God put me in the position of teaching. He knew I could do more even when I didn’t. I never dreamed of teaching on the collegiate level, and here I am an adjunct teaching writing and a writer who writes. I know for sure God’s plan for me is better than any plan I have for myself.

Then there’s the verse that seems pleasing, has the right words yet until I read and meditate on it that scripture does not resonant for example, Exodus 14:4 “The Lord will fight for you; you only need be still.”  When I first read this, I said really. One thing I despise is a fight, and if one has to occur I get tense, anxious, and begin making plans A, B, and C. I pray. I call my mother, my prayer partner and ask them to pray. On Sunday morning, I go to the altar and give it to God. But the moment I walk away from the altar, I pick up the battle again. I think about it, I look at the best and the worst scenarios.  And most likely the next Sunday, I take it back to the altar and pick it up again.

Likewise with the New Whiskey Cake on the TGI Friday’s dessert menu. The description read: a sharable portion of warm toffee cake, topped with glazed pecans and vanilla ice cream and served with butterscotch Jack Daniel’s Whiskey sauce.

I never had toffee cake, however pecans and butterscotch were my favorite ingredients. I knew cooking with whiskey would make the flavors savory and sweet. Sharable portion meant Janet could have a piece, too. When the miniature wrought iron skillet arrived, I dipped the tip of my spoon into the sauce. Yum. I scoop a spoonful. “This sauce is delectable,” I said, slicing a little over half. I couldn’t wait for Janet to take her portion so I could scoop the remaining sauce onto my cake.

Despite our smorgasbord of conversation, I sat still, slowly digesting each bite letting flavors burst in my mouth. Although I had a piece of Janet’s brownie, the whiskey cake was more appetizing. I had no doubts or regrets about my chose.

In the same way, I took pleasure in eating that cake bit by bit, I reflected on each word in Exodus 14:4 when I knew I had a fight on my hands. First, I did my part, I confirmed that an agreement had been signed, sealed and delivered. I called and emailed respective parties. When the struggle began, I prayed “Lord you said in your word that you would fight for me and all I needed to do was be still.” At that moment, I did not complain, I did not grumble and I put the problem on the altar and left it believing without a shadow of doubt that God had my back.

And now I’m sharing this scripture and this story because God is big enough and strong enough to satisfy all our needs.

So, when I think about the question: Did the Bible live in you today? And reflect on my answer, realizing I can live the Bible, all 66 books, daily. Why? The Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. And since heaven is on earth, as earth is in heaven I need to search the scriptures for all my answers.

Did the Bible live in you today?