More Than Ink on a Page

Ease right on over here, friend, and let your heart take a deep breath so you can get settled in like a little ol’ deer that finally wandered into a quiet clearin’ after dodgin’ branches, briars, and one very cranky lil’ woodpecker that thought the whole forest belonged to him. We’re ‘bout to stroll through some holy Scripture like a couple o’ country cousins wanderin’ down a dirt road, swattin’ at Junebugs and tryin’ not to trip over an old possum nappin’ in the sun. John 6:63 where Jesus says, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you, they are full of the Spirit and life.” Friend, that there truth is richer than cream gravy slidin’ off a cathead biscuit big enough to use as a pillow.

Sometimes we get to treatin’ the Bible like it’s just paper and ink, the way a silly lil’ ol’ rooster pecks at a mirror without realizin’ he’s fussin’ at his own reflection. Jesus is the Word, and He existed long before ink ever met parchment. The Bible is the wrapper, but the Spirit is the good flavor. Without the Spirit breathin’ life into it, readin’ Scripture is ‘bout as useful as askin’ a sleepy ol’ raccoon to balance your checkbook while he’s still rubbin’ the night off his whiskers.

Those folks listenin’ to Jesus were so tangled up in their physical world they couldn’t see the spiritual feast sittin’ right in front of ‘em. They were like a cow starin’ at a brand new gate, blinkin’ slow and understandin’ nothin’. Jesus was offerin’ real life, the kind that fills your spirit up the way hot cornbread fills your belly on a cold night while the wind howls through the trees like a choir of hoot owls and coyotes arguin’ over who gets the last word.

Just like your body needs food, your spirit needs the Bread o’ Life. Jesus said that His words are spirit, not physical. That there means you can’t nibble on Scripture like a squirrel samplin’ acorns and expect to grow. You’ve gotta let the Spirit warm it right up, stir it real good, and serve it to your heart like a good ol’ pot o’ stew that’s been simmerin’ since sunrise.

If we want spiritual truth, we’ve gotta’ believe the Bible. If we want to be led by the Spirit, we’ve gotta’ follow God’s Word. If we want to hear from the Spirit of God, we’ve gotta’ listen to what God says. The Spirit and the Word are one, like two barn cats curled up together in the same sunbeam, restin’ in the same warmth.

Father, thank You for givin’ us Your Word that is spirit and life. Help us not to read it with sleepy eyes or distracted minds but with hearts wide open. Let Your Spirit breathe understandin’ into every verse. Feed us with the Bread o’ Life and guide us into Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, friend, as you step off this porch and back into a wild world where armadillos wander ‘round like confused little tanks lookin’ for a parkin’ spot, carry right with you that God’s Word ain’t a museum piece or a dusty book sittin’ up high on a shelf. It’s spirit an’ it’s life. An’ it’s Jesus speakin’ right straight to your heart with more accuracy than any compass sittin’ in a hiker’s pocket. Let Him fill you up, steady you, and guide you through every briar patch and back road. And may your spirit stay lively and bright, like a hummingbird that just found the sweetest wildflower patch in the whole woods and keeps comin’ on back for one more o’ the taste o’ that livin’ nectar.

With joy,

Gwen