Father, as usual, this Sunday has been full and my body and mind are feeling it! You’ve already been at work in my heart and mind and I am ready for what You have for me this evening. Amen.
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Are you familiar with The Velveteen Rabbit? It’s a book by Margery Williams, and interestingly enough, it was originally published 100 years ago this year! It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit’s desire to become real through the love of his owner, a young boy. Initially, he pays the rabbit no mind, but after losing his favorite toy, his nanny puts the velveteen rabbit with him in bed.
From that point on the two are inseparable and over time the rabbit begins to show the wear of the boy’s love. He becomes shabbier and shabbier. Though that is the case, the boy’s love does not fade.
The story continues, but for my intent and purposes, I’m stopping there.
Wow, if you can see the study Bible that I use for writing my blog. It is hardbound, but it is extremely worn. My dust cover is in pieces. Part of the hardbound spine is not attached. The binding is holding up, but the front board cover is just holding on by the glue cementing it to the inside paper cover.
I could replace it. I suppose I could cover it with tape. Like we used to do in school, I could take a brown paper bag and make a cover for it once I had taped it. But at least at this point, I’m keeping it just the way it is.
It is worn. It is shabby and getting shabbier every day.
Here’s what is important, the way it looks does not affect what is inside – what is inside of it… and what is inside of me. God’s Word is not limited to the physicalness of that book. Regardless of how worn it gets, it will always be alive, impacting, and life-changing.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,
All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God (i.e. all believers whether man, woman, or child) may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. AMP
So, my challenge for you is to strive to make sure at least one of your Bibles is a shabby one. Oh, and by the way, this is a DIY project – Do It Yourself! No cheating!
This is not a short-term project. I do my best to take care of my Bible but it gets used a lot! It’s been my go-to Bible since the beginning of my MoreThanUseless blog – so for 7 years, it has had regular use! And, I tell you what, I wouldn’t change a thing! Wear your Bible out and you won’t…at least not spiritually!
Oct 9th, 2022, Sun, 7:23 pm
