The Bible says so
“Mommy, I got a boo boo!” She held her little hand close to her chest, tears of pain streaming down her face.
It was the tenth boo boo of the day. We rack ‘em up in record speed at our house. Scrapes and scratches for girls who play rough and wild and never slow down.
“You’ll be okay, honey.” I stayed at my post, washing a pile of dishes. There was no blood or broken bones, so I was certain she’d make a lightening fast recovery.
“Did you know it’s actually good for your body to get boo boos?” The oldest one chimed in her attempt at consolation.
“Is that so? Where did you hear that?” I was intrigued to learn the source of her information. She’s learning a plethora of great things in kindergarten these days. Maybe she knew something I didn’t.
“The Bible.” For someone who has yet to personally read scripture on her own, she was very confident in her answer.
“Hmmm… where in the Bible does it say that exactly?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere.”
She and I have been reading scripture, verse by verse, over the last two months. We’re still in Genesis, as it’s a lot to digest, but she’s been learning about the Bible since before she could form a sentence. She’s memorized verses, knows all sorts of songs, and she can even sing the entire New Testament in order.
Yet she’s not spent an hour of her life personally reading and studying God’s Word on her own. Everything she knows, she’s been told by others who love her. And although God’s word is the answer to everything, it’s imperative that God’s people use it correctly.
We live in a society of cherry-picked memes and clever quotes that tickle our ears. Single verses stuck on colorful backgrounds with minimal, if any, context. Leaders use bits and pieces to persuade the minds of others in their direction. To justify sin, to appease the masses, or to grow a following or a bank account.
But God’s word isn’t meant to be delivered like a game of telephone, passing along phrases that get misinterpreted as they go from ear to ear.
God’s word is meant to be read, personally. To be studied with care. And to be used in accuracy.
My girl has a heart bent towards God. She is interested in what a life of faith looks like. In what it means to be a follower of Christ. And so while she’s well on her way, she’s not there yet. She knows the very basics, but she doesn’t know everything.
And neither do I. Nor will I ever.
No one can quote God better than God, himself. So if you’re curious of His thoughts, or if you have a question, crack open the Bible. He’s written out unchanging, life giving, heart piercing words for all of eternity.
And He’ll never lead you astray.
