Reading the Bible

Here’s a good post from friend and colleague Keith Wommack, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Texas.  It’s the timeless story of the Bible and the old wicker coal basket.

Some of you may know Keith is an active blogger at Healthy Th(ink)ing.  He also blogs at “Healing Now” hosted by the Houston Chronicle newspaper.  Visit either blog to read this and other posts about the Bible, Christian Science, and healing.

Read the Bible? Why?

 A man was living on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, he was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his worn-out Bible. His grandson wanted to be just like his grandfather and tried to imitate him in every single way.

One day, the grandson asked, “I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, yet all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and that he would use a bucket instead. The man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough.” Then the man went out the front door to watch the boy try again.

The boy, now, knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would still leak out. So, the boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, “See, it’s useless!” “So you think it’s useless?” The man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and, for the first time, he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty, old, wicker coal basket, it was clean.

The man said, “That’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”

He continued, “Take time to read a portion of God’s Word each day; it will change you even if you don’t think you are retaining a word.”

Take time to read a portion of God’s Word each day. It is Christ’s message. It is Christ speaking to you in the way you can understand. It will change you and heal you. It will make you a better man, woman, husband, wife, and friend.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)