Gummie worms

2 Peter 1: 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from some one's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

As Eli (my 3 yr old) and I sat this morning drinking our coffee in our "quiet time" we were greeted by a spring like bird chirping chorus outside. Eli looks at me seriously and asks His favorite questions : What is that making noise? Birds, I say. Birds, birds, what do they eat? (Me patiently trying to read my bible while not ignoring Eli) Well, Eli they eat bugs, bees and worms. Bugs and Bees are yucky daddy, but Eli likes gummy worms. Yes. Eli likes gummy worms. Not gummy worms Eli, worms. Yep daddio Eli likes gummy worms ...........

In order to communicate, we must have words that carry distinct definitions. A word can mean many different things to many different people. In my own life the meaning of the word Bible has changed in such a divine beautiful way. When I was young, the bible meant the thing I took to church that I was supposed to read. It was the book that told me what people along time ago did to be good and make God happy.

I praise God that he has shown me that the bible is a divine book that communicates His redemptive love despite our stiff necked sinful hearts. As Peter says in the above text, The Bible is a continual, congruent story authored by the Holy Spirit speaking through those he counted as faithful to His Heart, Will and Purpose. We have two options as His creation.

#1) Understand the bible is the word of God, a Divine manifestation of God and therefore something we must place ourselves under the authority of, as we fall deeper in Love our Jesus. Is it not amazing that he has revealed himself to us? The Bible is such a dynamic reflection of our creator that any "great" work of art or drama is nothing but a recycled idea of God's. Romeo and Juliet and their love unto death; Pete Townsend' let my love open the door (one of my favorite songs); and more recently Avatar, a movie about a future world of unparalleled peace and love powered by a central "Tree of Life" are three examples of recycled material from the Bible. In case you have not read it, the Bible weaves accounts of scandalous love, war, romance and "fairy tell endings" to create a tapestry of God's redemptive and sacrificial love so that we can glimpse aspects of His majesty. It is impossible not to fall in Love with Him if you get to know Him.

#2) Interpret the Bible as words from other men that we can evaluate, shape and question. Is this not exactly what Eve do in Genesis 3?

Obviously I am partial to choice #1. Why? He has changed my Heart and Life and I know that he wants to speak to me through His word. There is a vast difference between reading the Bible open to your interpretation to fit your life and Hearing from God under His authority so that he can change your heart. Which do you do?