Hear

I went to the Christian bookstore a few days ago. I tried to get a job there once, but God knows that would be a mistake for me to be there......I would spend my paycheck on books. A few months ago I got one on sale called "Visual Theology" by Tim Challies. I don't know much about the author, other than I love his articles on his blogs. Also,with me being a visual learner and really loving theology.....it was a perfect mesh for me. There are a lot of pictures and charts.....it's a great book so far. 

I'm only about 1/3 the way through. There was this line that struck me......

"A healthy Christian loves to hear from God through the Bible. He is constantly taking in God's word - Reading it alone, reading it with friends, reading it with family, reading it as it is woven into good books, hearing it read aloud and worship services, pondering it as he remembers it - consuming it in anyway he can." 

This made me stop in my tracks. Notice the word "healthy"? This isn't something we always think of when we think of a Christian. When I hear someone call themself or someone else a Christian, the word healthy isn't in my thought. But......this line makes me think. It makes me think of what a healthy Christian should be desiring to do. It makes me think of what I should be doing and aren't. 

My son laughed at me once. I told him I take my Bible to work, but I'm scared someone will steal it. He said..." Mom, who would want to steal a Bible?" See....my Bible has notes and all kinds of things in it I would never be able to replace. If I lost it I wouldn't know what to do. It's my most prized possession. However....hearing this word "healthy" makes me realize I've got a lot more work to do if I want to please my God better. 

The amazing thing about God is that he's patient. He knows my desire is to be healthy. Not only with my physical life, but my spiritual one as well. So.....he will let me continue on and learn at my pace. He will continue to put people in my path to help me grow.....he will continue to provide books.....he will continue to have people pray for my healthiness.......he will continue to guide me as I study from His Word......he will continue to protect me from what I don't need to know. 

I had someone a few years that wanted me to read Something other than the Bible to expand my knowledge......I said "no I can't do that because I have to watch what I put in my little mind. I can't fill it up with nonsense." He wasn't understanding me at the time, but now he realizes I did the right thing. He has gotten back to being a healthy Christian and now reads and attends his church a few days a week. He's a leader in his church and even preaches now and then. Our God is amazing!! 

I ask myself......do I long to hear from God through His word and His people through a worship service? Do I hear from him in books and in family settings? Do I long for that intimacy that's only found in Him.? I would love to answer "yes" to all these things, all of the time, but the reality is I get selfish. I get me focused and being healthy is thrown out the window. Then repentance is needed and I can get back on track.....back to desiring to hear from a holy God once again.  All I can say is AMEN! What an amazing God we have!