The Word

I didn’t grow up in a Christian family and so, as a child, had very little knowledge or clear understanding of God and His ways. However, at that time in the late 50s and early 60s, during school assembly, the scriptures were read daily. Looking back, I am ashamed to say that I never saw it as relevant to me and, when I did try to engage with it, it seemed incomprehensible. What had it to do with me when it was about Amorites, Perizites or Jebusites, whoever they were?

Despite my usual lack of interest, I clearly remember hearing the first verses of John’s gospel being read on one occasion. I expect it was during advent one year. I remember that it caused me to wonder what this ‘word’ was, this ‘word’ that was ‘with God’ and ‘was God’. It was obviously important. It sounded like a magic word. In my total ignorance, I wondered whether the word abracadabra or something else was equally mysterious. I can chuckle now, looking back, but it makes me realise how difficult it is for those from a secular home to understand Scripture that seems so clear to those of us who are believers.

It took many years before the Word Himself spoke into my heart. But when He did, in that nanosecond, I had a revelation of who He was and what I was. My life was changed for ever.

Just recently, I’ve been thinking about how easy it is for those of us, who have been Christians for some years, to assume that people around us have basic understanding of who Jesus is. The truth is that many have no knowledge of God as Father, no grasp on His written word and no revelation about His Living Word. In these increasingly secular days, there is little, if any, opportunity for children from non-Christian homes to hear the Scriptures, let alone have them explained so they can engage with them. Indeed, attending a Christmas carol service might be the only possibility.

I am challenged by this reality that so many have never truly heard the truth about The Word, and I realise the implication of this. I must be ready. We all need to be ready to speak about Jesus, the Living Word, at any opportunity. We need to be ready to explain in a simple way (not in Christian jargon) that He came, that He is God and that He loves all He has made. However, unlike several of my friends, I often find conversations about Jesus difficult to start. So I’m praying that God will give me courage and boldness, as well as inspiring me with simple clear words so He, the Word, is revealed and is able to touch many hearts.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to show me who You are and to demonstrate in a clear way how much You love me and long for all people to know You. Thank You that the Holy Spirit now dwells in me and wants to inspire me to pass on the wonderful news that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. I pray that I may have courage and the right words to say, as the opportunities arise, and to tell those who have never heard, the truth about the Living Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.