I started reading the Bible differently.
That's all. (Sorry to disappoint all you 34 followers out there.)
Without really realizing it, I had spent most of my life reading the Bible as a "self-help" book. If I was having a bad day I would look for something in Psalms to cheer me up.
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Thank you God. Quiet time, done.)
If I needed forgiveness, I'd go anywhere in the New Testament.
Colossians 1:13-15 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Thank you Jesus, I feel much better now.)
If I needed some encouragement, I'd flip around until I found something to my liking.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (With Jesus on my side, I can do anything! I'm the King of the world!) Okay, so maybe a slight exaggeration there, but you get where I'm going.
And if you don't mind, I'd like to take you on a further journey of what I discovered once I stopped reading the Bible as my self help book. I learned that God's Word doesn't revolve around me. It's not something I read to feel better about myself. But rather, it's something I dig into so that I can understand my God better. It's something that God has used to reveal Himself to me so that I can fall in love with His character and purposes. It's ALL about Him. And NOTHING about me. Radical paradigm shift.
I realized this as I was exposed to this thing called 'The Biblical Basis for Missions'. It took me on a wild exploration that led me to see that the Bible stories I had learned growing up extended way beyond my selfish implications of them. It showed me that God was on a mission, from the beginning of time, to see His name be glorified throughout the world. It begged me to stop asking the question of "what is God's will for my life?" and instead start simply asking, "what is God's will?". Many of you have heard Steven and I talk about this shift in thinking, this amazing journey, this radical paradigm shift. But to those of you who haven't, I hope you enjoy the ride of seeing that it's not about you, but all about God and His name being made great among all the world.
Bible Story #1: David & Goliath
1 Samuel 17:50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
My self-help book interpretation: Just like David, as long as I have faith, I can slay the big giants in my life too.
Paradigm shift: David says to Goliath,"This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." 1 Samuel 17:46
(Ooooh, the purpose behind God using David to defeat Goliath was so that whole world would know of Him and His great power. Hmmm.)
Bible Story #2: The 10 Commandments
My self-help book interpretation: God gives me these commandments to obey so that I can be a good person and go to heaven.
Paradigm shift: In regards to the 10 Commandments, Moses says "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" Deuteronomy 4:5-6
(Ooooh, the 10 Commandments are so that the whole world can see and know God through the way we live our lives. Hmmm.)
Bible Story #3: Daniel & the Lions Den
Daniel 6:22 Daniel answered, "O king Darius, my God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.
My self-help book interpretation: As long as I trust God, He will save me from the dangers and enemies in my life.
Paradigm shift: Sometimes I just need to read a little further...
Daniel 6:25 "Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: "...I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever...He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions."
(Ooooh, God saves Daniel not only because of Daniel's trust and God's love for him, but also so that all peoples, nations and languages would know God's reputation and name. Hmmm.)
Do you we see a pattern here? But wait, there's more...
Bible Story #4: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace
Daniel 3:26 So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
My self-help book interpretation: God loved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's loyalty and heart towards Him and saved them from destruction. If I align with God, He'll have my back too.
Paradigm shift: Daniel 3:29 "Therefore, I (Nebuchadnezzar) decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces... for no other God can save in this way."
(Ooooh, God saved them so that the king would spread God's name and fame to all peoples and nations. Hmmm.)
Bible Story #5: Solomon and his wisdom
My self-help book interpretation: God made Solomon wise because he asked for it. If I ask God for things, He'll bless me with them.
Paradigm shift: 1 Kings 4:34 "Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom."
(Okay Lord, I'm starting to get it...)
And here was the real kicker for me. This one verse, Psalm 67, sums up this small but major change in my life.
Bible Story #6: Psalm 67
Psalm 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us...
My self-help book interpretation: Literally, heard this verse my whole life in church. God, bless me! Be gracious to me! Make your face shine upon me! It's all about me, God...didn't You know?
Paradigm shift: Let's read the verse in its entirety...
Psalm 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
(Ooooooooh, you mean God blesses me SO THAT I can bless the nations? The blessings aren't just for me to keep because God loves me? Hmmm.)
I could go on forever. Don't worry, I'll spare you. But the list does go on, and you check it out for yourself. (Psalm 33:13-14, Psalm 46:10, 86:9-10, 96:3; Isaiah 11:9-10, 49:6, 52:10, 61:11; Jonah 4:11, Habakkuk 1:5, Zephaniah 2:11, Haggai 2:7, Zechariah 8:20-23, Malachi 1:11)
So as this paradigm shift began to take way, naturally my relationship with the Lord began to change. I started to see Him, His Word, and the world through a new pair of eyes. My new outlook began to shift from constantly looking inward at myself, to a fresh upward and outward focus. It revealed God's heart for the world and His desire that all people know Him.
This small shift in how I read my Bible eventually led me to where I am today. It was a quiet, yet constant invitation to something beyond myself.
Read God's Word differently. In the process of seeking Him deeper, it will inevitably change you and bring you to places you never dreamed you would go.
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