by Kelly Dixon
Reading: John 1:1, 14; 15:4-5
What is it about women and our shoes? Every now and then my husband will look in my closet at the overflow of shoes and shake his head. He just doesn't understand why one person should have so many shoes. I remember once when we first got married he exclaimed, “You have two pairs that are alike.” As I looked at the two pairs he was referencing, I started to chuckle, “No I don't, they are the same style but one is navy and the other is black.” He shook his head as he walked away and expressed, “They look the same to me.” I have to admit that sometimes I had to put them in the natural light shining through the window to tell the difference myself. AND to make sure I didn't have one navy shoe and one black shoe on my feet before I scrambled out the door. Each pair of shoes in a woman's closet becomes a necessity when the outfit demands just the right one. However, the funny thing about my shoe collection is that I have all these shoes, yet there is only one pair that fits just right and feels absolutely comfortable. It is this pair that I slip on my feet immediately when I walk in the door for the evening. It is this pair that I long for as I wear the others.My collection of books have become like my collection of shoes. I have so many inspirational books that are written by great authors who have been inspired by God. Joni Earekson Tada, Charles Stanley, Max Lucado, Anne Graham Lotz and Beth Moore to just name a few. When I read these books I not only learn from the authors but I am also inspired to write more myself. However, there is one book that I keep going back to that fits and feels absolutely comfortable and inspires me the most. You can probably guess - the Holy Bible, God's Word. Even though I enjoy reading the other books, and many times they point back to the Bible, I just can't get enough of soaking in the Word of God. When I miss doing so I crave it and can't wait to get back to reading more. God's Word sooths my soul so much that I feel like I am missing out when I don't soak it in.
John begins his gospel by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1) He continues in verse 14 of chapter 1 by saying, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John in referring to Jesus describes Him as the Word. Later on in chapter 15 of John's gospel we see that Jesus said for us to abide in Him and He will abide in us (John 15:4). Every time I read this verse I think, “How am I abiding is Jesus lately?” And every time, I am led back to reading more of the Word. When we dwell in the Word of God and soak in it's riches we begin the process of abiding in Christ. The acceptance of the truth begins to work in you, your belief and faith becomes greater and you become an imitator of Christ. The more I read the Word the more I want to follow Christ. I will take steps to follow Him and then I am led back to the Word for guidance along the way. The Word of God becomes a lifeline for every situation in my life. It is THE Book the ONLY Book that fits just right!!
Have you been abiding in God's Word? Are you soaking in the Word drawing from it's truths and allowing it to penetrate your life? Abide in Christ and allow Him to settle in your being so much so that you can't help but imitate Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Word to live among us. Thank you for your printed Word in which we can draw Your truths. Help me to abide in Christ by soaking in more and more of Your Word daily. Help me to apply Your Word to my life so that I may be an imitator of Christ. It is in His name I pray, Amen.
