Two pews up and just to the left is where she sat. From my seat, I could see she was in deep meditation. The words on the pages lay before her in her lap. She was completely consumed by what she was reading. What was it that had her so drawn in? What was it about the words she was looking at? I couldn’t help but notice. She was being affected by what she read. From where I sat, it was a beautiful picture.
I wanted to take her picture, but I felt it would be rude to do so without asking. Getting up out of my seat, I made my way to the end of her pew. Squatting down beside her, I told her my intent and asked if she would mind if I took her picture. She was touched by my asking and agreed with the picture being taken. Sitting back down behind her, I took several. My heart had been moved by her heart being moved by what she was reading in the Book. It’s hard to describe what I saw. It was more about what I felt, in her response to the Word, than what I saw.
How can you explain the power of the Word? The words are old, but the application is new. The wisest men in the world have quoted the words. The words are read to children. The words are displayed in federal buildings and on national monuments. The words are printed in children’s literature. The words have caused wars. The words bring peace. The words are ancient. The words are new every day. The words convict. The words encourage. The words are to be shared.
There are many formats by which we have access to the Word. It is in audible or digital format on our tablets, computers or smartphones. Portions of it are found in magazines, books and other printed material. It is read by teachers and preachers. Lectures and classes are studying it. TV evangelists proclaim it. Many of us have multiple printed copies of it at our fingertips in our homes.
The ways to access the Word seem unlimited. One of my favorite ways to access the Word is the exact same way I witnessed two pews up and just to the left. Feeling the weight of each side of the book in my hands as I open it. Hearing the crispness of the page. Smelling the familiar scent. Comfort found.
