I’ve been troubled all day by a comment from someone I know that the Bible is “not a textbook to look up the answer to a question” or an "answer book." He stated that the Biblical writers could not have imagined the kind of world we are living in now. All day I’ve pondered those remarks, wondering how a Believer can think the living Word of God “given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim 3:16) is not relevant or applicable for today’s society.

As the God-breathed, God-inspired Word of Life, the Holy Scriptures contain everything we needed as a created people from thousands of years ago all the way through today for making decisions, choosing paths, leading spirit-filled lives. It is a relational book, teaching us about His relationship with us, our relationship with Him, and our relationships with one another. And, as all things in this world are ultimately spiritual in nature, the Bible is THE one answer book for all questions. And, while no, it does not specifically address “radio transmissions, inoculations, (and) space travel” it DOES address how we are to live in a day where those things have become possible.

The discussion that brought out these comments began with dating…which is completely a relational issue. Just because the culture has changed from the days of the men who penned God’s thoughts does not mean the message has changed. The standards are still in place, still holy as He is holy, still higher than the world’s, still peculiar for a peculiar people called by the Creator Himself. How does a changing culture/times change the standards? Is there a Biblical model for dating as the world defines “dating?” Or is there a Biblical model for a peculiar kind of holiness?

Most people (Believers) fear the opinions of men more than they fear grieving the Father. Living a radical life for Christ is so far-fetched in today’s culture, that we Believers now look more like the world than ever before….and unfortunately, are so far removed from our likeness to Christ that we are frequently unrecognizable as one of His own. I speak of myself as much as I do of anyone else, here. My heart’s desire is for people to see Him in me first and foremost, but I am well aware of how frequently I fail in that.

My current quiet time study is in I John. I’m grateful for its teaching that I “have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (I John 2:1) for those times when I fail so miserably. His grace is available to me. So, I will continue to go to the ultimate Answer Book for all things in this life, knowing that it is the complete revelation of God for how I should live, how much He loves me, and what He desires for me to do in this culture I live in, today.

Grace whisperings...

I love to kayak.

And I feel like God speaks to me or maybe I just hear Him better (listen better?) when I’m out paddling alone on the lake. So many correlations to my life come from my encounters with the water and the wildlife I see out there.

Yesterday, I struck out on placidly calm water thinking, “what a great calm and quiet paddle this will be.”

My life is like that sometimes….calm, placid, peaceful…not as often as I’d like for it to be, but sometimes.

Yesterday was not one of those days. ….which is why I decided to throw the kayak in the water and get off by myself with my thoughts and with whatever God would teach me that afternoon.

Not 10 minutes into my paddle, the wind picked up, the waves got rough, and some pretty chilly water started splashing over the bow onto my legs. I hunkered down and paddled harder. The calm, quiet, and peaceful paddle was over….at least for a time.

My life is like that sometimes…rough, unsteady, cold…..not often, but sometimes.

I wasn’t afraid of the water that rocked my little kayak. I know I am a skilled swimmer and I possess a life jacket. Scripture teaches me that I don’t have to have fear life’s circumstances. I am equipped. I have the ability through the Spirit within me to overcome life’s struggles. Life may buffet me with its uncertainties and may even get difficult to face each day. But, fear and discouragement don’t have to accompany those times. I have a Friend Who walks me through those times. And times they are; for there is a time for everything….a season for all things. And that time will pass and another will take its place. Throughout, I can have joy and I can experience peace because of Whose I am. I praised God for reminding me of that.

And then the wind shifted.

My kayak began to glide easily again as the waves died down and the paddling became easy and rhythmic. And I laughed aloud as I thought about how He graces me, day after day that I live in this hostile place that is not my home. He makes me smile with His grace and my heart sings.

He is faithful.

He never changes.

He loves…me.

How can I not have joy and peace in all things.