Have you ever had the sinking feeling that you've lost something and you don't quite remember where it was that you lost it? Most of us have. A couple of years ago I had this experience. After carefully packing my clothes, jewelry, and all the other necessities that would be stored under the plane I began to think of the things that I would be needing on the plane. I grabbed my purse, my phone, and of course, my Bible and I was on my merry way, or so I thought.....
Picture it: New York City. The year, 2010. NYC got 24 inches of snow that year and so the stowaway for the luggage became the back of my uncle's pickup truck. My Bible was held captive at my feet and taken in and out of the hotel with no problem. I knew it's every where abouts, or at least I thought I did. The first night in New York I was so tired that I didn't even realize that my Bible was even missing but then I did. I had purchased this Bible several years ago and had accumulated many special letters from family and friends, including a letter from my mother, inside of its covers. I knew I could replace the Bible itself, but how would I ever replace those special letters? I was instantly distraught! What had I done with it? Where could it be? Did I lose it when we parked at the airport to catch the taxi? I couldn't hold back the tears. I had to find it!
Later, after getting back to the truck, I did find it. There, laying on the floorboard, was my Bible with all of it's contents held safe inside. I had worried and cried over the lost contents of my Bible and now here it was safe and in my hands again! My heart was at peace.
Later, for my New Year's resolution, I decided that I would read a different one year study Bible instead of my old faithful one year Bible that I thought I had lost. I mentioned that when I lost it, I remembered thinking, "I can replace the Bible but not the letters in it." Well, I was wrong. A couple of weeks ago, my husband mentioned that he would like to start reading the New Testament first instead of reading the Old and New together, so I offered him my old Bible. A couple of nights went by and I found myself looking for it and glanced over to see it laying on his nightstand. My heart longed to hold it in my hands, to read its words, to read the notes and scribbles in the margins, to remember the times when God spoke to me over the years. It wasn't just the letters inside that Bible that I was concerned about, it was the actual Bible that I mourned.
When I think of my Bible and all it has meant for me, I remember what the Bible says in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This Bible represents everything about Jesus that I have learned to love over the past 13 years since He saved me. It makes me realize that He is the Word, and He is with God, and the Word was, is, and will forever be God! His Word changes the reader, it edifies, it enlightens, it makes fools of the wise, it speaks to the hardest of hearts, it can reach the uttermost depths, it has no bounds, no limitations, no motive but salvation, it loves all, it conquers all, and it frees all, it is God inspired and God breathed, it is our handbook for living, and our reason for giving, it comforts and rebukes, it shines light in the darkness, and it's waiting for YOU!!
Think about it!
Today, take a second look at your Bible. Check out the pages, the notes you have written, glance over the pages, and remember when God spoke to you. If you don't have a favorite Bible now is the time to find one or let me know and I will get you one. Open the book and read the Word of God and let it penetrate your heart. If you have a favorite Bible, are you attached to it? Don't wait till you lose it to find out.
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