I have to admit that this week was hard for me in the application of study. Not that I despise study or have no interest in it. In actuality I love it greatly. However, my academic life style for the last few years has been all about study, and I am greatly burned out. I am quiet exhausted and worn down with study. However, I am coming to find that what matters most is not how much you study, but what you are studying.
You see, I study the field of medicine and nursing all the time. Which is great for a test, a career, or even a patient. However, it does not feed my soul. It is studying Jesus, his life, his word, and the promises written in scripture that feeds and transforms my soul. And if I'm honest (and I mean painfully honest) I do not study scripture all that much. Studying other things often gets in the way and unfortunately it is the study of scripture that I need to restore my soul and mind. As Foster wrote, "The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it" (p.62). There is only one thing that can renew my mind; the Word of God. So knowing this, why do I struggle so much in actually studying it?
Lord, I pray for a desire to study your life giving, soul refreshing, mind transforming scripture. When so many other things scream for my attention I pray that I am reminded of what is most important. May I find that nothing is more important then knowing you. Place a rich desire in my heart for studying the only thing that can transform the very core of me! Renew our minds, restore our hearts, and draw us close to you as we study your holy scriptures. Amen
Pslam 62 - "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken"
-Stef
Hey Steph -- A verse in Peter popped into my head while reading your post (may be slightly paraphrased :)) "Concerning this salvation (which Peter describes as a living Hope and the goal of Faith) the prophets long ago who spoke of the grace that was to come you searched intently and with the greatest care trying to find the time and circumstances to which the spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven." I thought of this verse because you mentioned being transformed by the Word of God. In the Revelation of Christ Jesus appears with a message on Him that reads "Word of God." What I find beautifully intimate and powerful and transforming about your post and this verse in Peter is that while the prophets studied the Word of God the very Word of God (JESUS) was there with them transforming them. It's like an extremely sophisticated, choreographed dance. Think of all the partners - 1. Prophet. 2. Written Word. 3. Jesus - Word of God to Prophet as the prophet studies. 4. Grace that is to Come. 5. Holy Spirit in the Now. 6. Preachers (us) in the Now. 7. Suffering of Christ in the Now. 8. Glory of Christ to Follow. I could add more elements to the dance but hopefully the few that I've listed makes this point: - Its amazing to me the incredible music and dance that God brings through us, His bride, when we search intently and with greatest care His incredible love story and then simply proclaim Christ crucified through our behavior and Word. I guess that's why Paul sums up His message as Jews demands signs and Greeks seek wisdom but we preach Christ crucified. (Paraphrased slightly)
ReplyDeleteSteve, Your post was deeply encouraging! Although I currently struggle with the desire to study the "Word of God", the true Word of God (Jesus) is here with me, transforming me. It is incredibly encouraging! But what is greatly motivating is realizing the beauty of the music and dance we become apart of when we "search intently and with greatest care" after Him. I think I might studying the Peter's books in my quite times this week! Praying and seeking to join the dance of searching for Christ.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I was flipping through my bible and when I got to the first page of John I had written a phrase in the margins. I wrote a quote that you stated in '09 during a trainee weekend. It said "Dig & let be dug, so others can hear Jesus extraordinary heartbeat beating in your very chest. Let people hear God's heart beat among the ordinary, unstructured, unplanned parts of your life, when you are simply who you are" (probably paraphrased a bit). Do you remember saying this? It had huge significance for me then, and now. I think it has a lot to do with your above post as well. Realizing the very Word of God is with us, transforming us, his heart beating within our very chests. So great, thanks Steve!