This evening I found myself staring into the refrigerator. I wasn’t really hungry so what was I doing? I must be a conditioned lab rat and something triggered a “Go to the fridge” response. Without thinking I was going to put unnecessary food into me. As I closed the fridge door I wondered how many times a day I eat unnecessary food. I wish I would instead automatically look for spiritual food. I wish I would find myself browsing through my Bible just to see what is there. I must confess most always I open my Bible in search of some specific text or idea. It has become a toolbox instead of a treasure chest.
We need the tools that are there for character construction just as a craftsman needs tools. But there are delightful surprises to be found there. Sometimes while reading a familiar passage a brand new idea jumps out of the text and yells, “Hey, look at me.” Now that is not something you want to happen when staring into the fridge.
Recently I was reading John 14 where Jesus said, “In my father’s house are many rooms.” Suddenly I realized in God’s Kingdom there are many families with many different family names. Often we are tempted to be exclusive and think we (our group) are God’s favorites and the only ones that will be saved. We need to jolt ourselves out of our conceit and remember God once said to Elijah, “Not only you. I have 7000 others.”
My goal is to be conditioned to browse God’s word and to keep the refrigerator door closed.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 4, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453