The Worst Mistake We're All Making

I hold to what most people would consider a high view of the Bible. I believe that it doesn't just contain the Word of God, but that it is the Word of God. I believe that it is "God breathed," and while it doesn't describe itself as "inerrant," that's probably the best word we have to summarize its reliability. I also believe that the straightest path to knowing the Living Word (Jesus) is through the written word but something has gone wrong. We've missed the first part of that last sentence, the real goal: knowing Jesus.

Put another way, the Bible is the map, but the map is not the territory. It's accurate, and it's necessary, but it's not the destination. The destination is living life in the presence of God and in humble reliance on the person and work of Jesus. Put another way, the written word takes us to the Living Word. The goal is not to know the Bible, it's to know Jesus as a person actually present with us right now.

Brother Lawrence calls this practicing the presence of God and he has one piece of advice that is especially helpful. As many times as you are able throughout the day remind yourself of his presence with you, and when your mind wanders and you realize you've blown it, don't fret, just remind yourself then. With just the smallest effort you will form the most powerful habit of your life. These gentle self-reminders create an awareness of his loving nearness, and that’s the point where we start living in the territory, which makes us return to the map to understand the territory better, which makes us more alive in the territory. It's the perfect virtue cycle. I think this is what the author of Hebrews is pushing when he says to "fix our eyes on Jesus " and what David was describing when he tells us to "taste and see that the Lord is good."

But stop, stop right now! Remind yourself that the goal is not to know this, it's to actually begin living it, to begin living with Jesus. So how do we do that on this Friday? Two things:

1. Set up reminders. I am wearing a bracelet that happens to be a bit uncomfortable, so every time it annoys me I am reminded to stop to acknowledge/experience his presence.

2. Maybe read this book. It's really short!

On Earth As It Is In Heaven.

Adam