(I did this assignment a few weeks ago, but it’s only being posted now.)
Assignment: Today’s challenge is two-fold. First of all, I’d like you to pick a book to read this week. You don’t have to finish it by the end of the week. Heck, I don’t even care if you ever finish it. You aren’t reading to finish it, you are reading to refresh your brain and excite your perspective. This week, I want you to commit to read for ten minutes a day. It can be out of the same book, it can be articles in different magazines, whatever you want. Just read.
For the second part of the challenge, I’d like you to write about one of your favorite books. Why was it your favorite? Which character stole your heart? Perhaps the character made you cringe or caused you to ponder their actions. Tell me all about it over in the Facebook group.
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I usually have a more than one book on the go. The first is the Bible, the New Living Translation version. My intention was to do a 90 day reading plan. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to readjust and “catch up”. Reshaping my goal was the next best thing. I’m reading my Bible, every single day and plan to not stop until the final word of the book of Revelation. I’m also reading the book “Revolutionary Parenting” by George Barna and am participating in a study with a couple other moms from church. Lots of thought-provoking reading here. I’ve just completed a couple of inspirational fiction novels and am about to start some non-fiction browsing this week.
As much as I tried hard not to pick this book, I finally conceded. The book to write about, the one that moves me in a way worth penning, is the Bible. How utterly crazy that I tried to avoid this book for a writing topic. I was scared of sounding kind of cliché. You know the type—the ‘Christian-woman-would-obviously-write-about-Bible-reading-duh!!!’ cliché. But when I tried to write about a novel that I totally loved, the words didn’t come. I had to dig too hard, felt like I was mining for gold or something. (Not that I never have to search for words at times, but there are a few times when the words should just pour out of you).
Yes, the Bible. I’m currently in 2 Samuel, in the midst of David’s life. He has such a fascinating story. Chapter 6 still has me pondering, more than a week later. “Michal’s Contempt for David”; when David was bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem with great celebration. It had me thinking about worship on many levels. This was the second attempt to move the Ark. The first time, they did it without great detail and ended up quitting. This second time, they were quite deliberate in their actions and in how they proceeded.
There was an attitude of worship from the very beginning of this journey, the atmosphere was one of worship the entire time. There was order in how the Ark was carried. After the first six—6—steps, there was a pause for sacrificing. There was music and King David lead the procession himself, dancing ‘with all his might’. While all this was happening, his wife, Michal, was watching from her window and brooding. She went on to confront David afterwards, highly upset at his display during his worship. She was subsequently childless for the remainder of her life, as a result of her criticism of David.
Oh, this story hit on so many levels. Do worship God with all my might? Do I ignore convention and focus on worship God as the great Creator of the universe, thankful for Him? Sadly, no, I don’t. I get concerned about what I may come across looking to others and worry about what they may say about me. I am at times stifled and hold back when worshipping with others who are more sedate and showing restraint in their worship.
Do I sit and brood while others are worshipping God with all their might? Do I get upset; jealous at the attention they give God and not me? Furthermore, why would I choose to sit on the sidelines during a big worship celebration instead of participating? Is there something in my heart that blocks me from wanting to worship?
Lastly, do I confront other because their views of worship differ from mine? Am I respectful of their displays of worship? If not, why not? Worship directed towards God really isn’t my business. I don’t live the lives of others. I’m not privy to their joys and hardships, their trials and tribulations. God doesn’t share with me the things that He’s working on with them. Of course they’re going to have their own personal worship experience. I’d be in the wrong for attempting to squash it.
There is so much food for thought here. This is one of the many reasons why I love reading the Bible. It’s the one book where I keep learning new things and helps to shape and mold me into what God wants for me. Thankfully, He only knows how to do and give the best. I should never be ashamed to want that for myself—the best.
