Like an ill-fitting bike rack, finding a Bible that works for us can be a challenge. Do we try to read it ourselves or let someone else do the heavy lifting? How do we find one we’ll use?
After a week off to share about my book project on Leviticus, this week returns to the bike ride I went on last summer and how it reminded me of the journey through the Bible.
Bike rack didn’t fit
We attempted to put a rented bike rack on our car, but it didn’t fit. After several tries we figured out the bikes couldn’t be secured in place and were at risk of falling off on the way from the bike rental to the trail head.
Finding a Bible
Kind of like finding a Bible that works. I’m not talking about what’s inside it. I mean the size of it. Bulky or compact. Is it portable or once I buy it will I just leave it home – and in the box?
Rent bikes
In the end it was better to rent bikes and have them transported to the trail head by others.
Read from the Bible
Listening to others read from the Bible is fine in the beginning. We can learn what’s in the Word of God at church or from someone’s teaching in a Bible study and avoid fumbling through the pages of Scripture trying to figure out how to read it ourselves.
Our own encounter
Hearing about someone else’s experience with Scripture is a great place to start. Let it be the first step toward having our own encounter with the Bible and what’s inside it.
What to look for when choosing a Bible
Gear
This bike ride was hardcore. The other riders had their gear. I had my purple helmet. And one pant leg rolled up in my sock so it wouldn’t get caught in the bike chain. At least on that point I was prepared though not very fashionable. They were cool. I was scared. I wasn’t here for adventure. I was here for survival.
When we need help
But isn’t that usually when we need help? When we’re in survival mode, unsure of ourselves? Maybe I was where I needed to be.
Question
Have you found a Bible that works for you? What hesitations did you experience trying to read it?
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Catching up?
A bike and the Bible – an adventure – intro – part 1
A bike and the Bible – reservations – part 2