I am convinced that I spend more time editing than I do
writing. Editing, rewriting, rethinking, erasing, deleting…such is the life of
a struggling writer. My “spell check” declared that I was abusive and taking
advantage of its accommodating nature. My thesaurus offers alternative hobbies…anything other than writing!
So I heeded the advice of these constant companions and set aside
the keyboard picking up another constant companion; my Bible. It was
the King James Version with the words of Christ in red. I have owned this Bible
for many years and yet it is the least worn book in my library. The beauty of the
language cannot be matched but other versions offer more when I study. Tonight
I didn’t want to study; I just needed to spend time with Him.
The nylon cord that serves as a bookmark was nestled between
the pages that contain the 21st chapter of Luke’s Gospel. A vivid
memory quickly filled my mind; I remembered the last time I had picked up this
particular Bible. It was at the end of a long day, the day my baby sister,
Belinda Sue had died. I remembered coming home that night, emotionally spent and
seeking comfort and answers. I had sat in a quiet living room paging through
the scriptures, pushing away memories that caused such great pain. Tears filled
my eyes and the words on the pages became blurred. Soon all I could see were
the words in red. That night I read
those words, only those words. Beginning with Matthew’s Gospel I read the crimson colored words until there were no more, ending with the eighth verse of Acts 1. My mind was filled with nothing but the
words of Jesus Christ.
I had never, and have never again, read the Bible in this
fashion. I may again one day, maybe tonight.
As I sit here and think about the
words of Jesus it dawned on me that He never once edited His words, never
rewrote, re-spoke or regretted His words. He had no need for a thesaurus or
someone to check His words. He never erased a thought, changed his mind, or
mumbled a reply. Not once did he mull over what to say, utter double-speak or a
lie. He spoke of truth, of the past and of the future. He spoke promises and
declared the gospel…the good news! He
spoke as a son, as a teacher, as a friend, as a God. He spoke with gentleness
and with authority. He whispered the name of Peter and called out the name of
Lazarus.
And He is still saying it all today.
Tonight I glanced again at these
red letter words and once again rested my eyes on the promise marked by the
nylon cord—
“Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away, till all
be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass
away.” Luke 21:31-32
“but my words shall not pass away.” Tonight I will close my eyes
knowing this.
