“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
“You put your suitcase in the car. Right, honey?” TJ’s mom asked as she pulled out of the driveway.
TJ was going to camp for the first time, and he was excited. “Yes!” he called from the back seat.
“Okay, just checking.” She smiled as she said it. For about a week, she had been packing TJ’s suitcase for camp. She kept it open in his room so that she could add necessary items as she thought of them. TJ did not really know what all was in there, but he did know she had been to Wal-Mart four times just to buy things for his trip!
TJ enjoyed his week at camp. But when he got home, he admitted to his mom that parts of his week had not been the best. “I got really hungry in the afternoons, Mom. I wanted to buy some snacks and souvenirs but didn’t have any cash!”
“Oh, TJ,” his mom replied. “I put your wallet in your suitcase. It had $30 in it for you to spend. Did you eat all the snacks I sent you?”
“What snacks?” TJ asked.
“Oh, honey. It was all in your suitcase. Did you even open it up?”
“Not really, Mom,” replied TJ. “I didn’t want to take the time. Were there clean clothes in there too?”
You might be thinking, TJ wasn’t very smart to keep his suitcase shut all week long!
But believe it or not, you make a similarly foolish choice when you choose not to open your Bible! Here’s why: You have probably heard people compare the Christian life to a journey. Throughout this “trip” you need encouragement, food and supplies for each day, wisdom in dealing with various situations, and correction when you are going the wrong way. God has packed everything you need into His Word, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. It is your “suitcase” for the “journey” of life. Just as it would be foolish to keep your suitcase shut during a trip to camp, it is also unwise to neglect (not pay attention to) God’s Word from day to day. And God promises that His Word can make you “perfect,” which means “complete.” All you need is all there for you in God’s Word; you just have to open it.
God has packed into His Word everything you really need for life.
My Response:
» Am I spending time in God’s Word every day to get what I need for my “journey” through life?
» When I am reading God’s Word, am I looking for truths about Him?