Do you dance with your bible?

In this morning's Ironworks prayer time we discussed bible reading as a means of grace. We began with a reading from Rabbi Chaim Potok. He wrote about the annual celebration of the reading of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible). At the celebration the participants dance with the Torah scrolls. He reflects on the wonder of holding Gods word in his hands. He asks "Do gentiles ever dance with their bibles?"

Some questions from the study were. What approach to the bible will invite grace to shape our lives? How do we allow the bible to "make us wise"? Are our lives really nurtured by God's word.

We talked about how much more personal Gods word is to the new creature in Christ. The new creature in Christ refers to all of us regardless of how long we have walked with God. We also discussed the nature of the holy spirit. How the same Spirit that inspired Paul and all of the writers of the entire bible, serves to guide and inspire us as we read with open hearts.

To think that we can be just as inspired as the apostle Paul brings the living word of God into a whole new light. It is not just a book. It is a gift from our Creator. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The same one who sent his son Jesus to restore us to fellowship with Him.

Before returning your Bible Sunday afternoon to the shelf where it collects dust. Consider how it came to be in your possession. Say a prayer to open the eyes of your heart, open the sacred book and let God speak to your spirit.

"The word of scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love. And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the word of Scripture and ponder...this word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer