Not Your Typical Church Lady

One thing I find difficult every other week is nailing down a specific topic to write about. It's not because there is a shortage of things to discuss, its because there are so many! The Bible is full of great things and its difficult to decide. I'm a Bible nerd and I don't care who knows it. There's always something new to learn, or a tidbit that hadn't popped out before. Then there's God himself and the different ways he's moved and worked in my life. He's done so many things, big and small, that I'm not even sure where to start. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. I'm pretty sure there are others out there who are also excited.

A scriptural tidbit that I enjoyed reading anew recently is found in Deuteronomy. One of my nerdy Bible quirks is that I have several different translations and I like to compare them. In the New International Version, Deuteronomy 13: 11-14 says, "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it."

The King James version in the Dake Annotated Reference Bible reads the last verse like this: "But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it" (Deuteronomy 30:14).

And then I read this version of it from the Complete Jewish Study Bible: "On the contrary, the word is very close to you- in your mouth, even in your heart; therefore, you can do it!" (Deuteronomy 30:14).

We may obey it, we mayest do it, we CAN do it! They all mean the same thing, but the way the last version states it sounds so much more encouraging, "You can do it!" I love it!

In this particular passage, the Israelites are about to cross the Jordan and claim the promised land, but before they do, Moses had some last words to give them. He was reminding them that if they remember to follow God with all their hearts and not turn away that they would receive a blessing. If they turned from God to worship false idols and fell away from him, then they would receive a curse instead. That was in the Old Testament, but the passage of verses 11-14 can very easily apply to us as well.

The word, even today, is very near us. The bad news is, most are not aware of it, or if they are, they ignore it. That's why it is so important to be excited about our faith journeys and not be afraid to talk about it in some way, shape, or form. If we talk about it and let our joy and enthusiasm show, it will be like a little candle in the window for others who are searching for the light. Did you know that the light from a single candle can be seen from 3.6 to 30 miles away? That factoid came from the internet and I've not tested it myself but all the same, I find it to be a fascinating concept.

Often, believers struggle to find ways to share. If one lives in a rural area, they can't very well just walk out into the street and start proclaiming things. No one would hear them but the cows. If one lives in a populated area and walks outside and begins to proclaim things, everyone ignores them, thinking they're crazy. I am fortunate in that I have this article from which to broadcast my experiences. If a heart is willing, a way is provided. Social media can be harnessed and used for good. Telling a friend in conversation about an experience or an epiphany is another way to share. Simply using your strengths and talents is another way.

There is not one cookie cutter way to be excited, people vary and so do sharing methods. Not everyone is a writer, not everyone is a public speaker. You might be a very talented knitter who makes sweaters for children in need that includes a little note of love. You might be an outdoorsman who can show someone else the beauty of the earth and tell them about the God who created it.

Just remember: The word is very near you. You CAN do it! You CAN come to know Christ. You CAN build your faith. You CAN walk with God. You CAN share it with others! You can do it!