Take a Closer Look
Recently my husband and I took a couple of our friends to an art museum for the first time. Art is something that is very near and dear to my heart, as I’ve been an artist my whole life and an art teacher for over 11 years. For me, when I walk through an art gallery I see things with a different point of view and from a different perspective than most casual spectators. I realized this more that evening as I saw someone I know trying to understand art for the first time.
Besides this, this visit showed me the similarities between trying to understand a work of art and trying to understand the Word of God brought forth by the Creator of all. The Word of God is like a painting, with depth of layers, symbols, and imagery we can’t just get in one glance. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In order to fully understand all that the Lord has prepared for us, we need to really dive into scripture. Every word in scripture is meant to help us, to complete us, and to equip us.
Sometimes, we can tend to peruse scripture similarly to the way we peruse artwork in a gallery. We glance at it and if it’s not something that instantly draws our attention, we pass right by it, never looking closer, never truly seeing all it has to offer. This becomes an increasingly bigger dilemma in a world of so many distractions coming from every angle with louder sound, brighter lights, and the like. What God intended for us, though, was to live by this Word He gave us.
It’s the Word of God that we are to use to answer all the situations and overcome all the obstacles of life. In the book of Matthew we see the account of Jesus when Satan tried to tempt Him away from the plan of God for His life, by way of distractions of the flesh. The devil tried multiple times to tempt Him away from the truth, but look how He responded in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” That’s right, the Word of God here is described as our sustenance for life. The Word of God keeps us full. It keeps us nourished. It keeps us strong. It is our bread of life. We need to desire to get the Word in us as much as we possibly can.
When I first came to Family Church in Jamestown, I was brand new to church and I wasn’t a Christian. It was the week in and week out teaching of the Word of God that changed my life. Look at Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It was the Word that showed me who I really am. It was the Word of God that made me realize my purpose in life. It truly is living and powerful in a way that’s hard to put in words of my own. But I would have never known these truths had I not given church a chance. I would have never known how to fully understand the depth of the Scripture without a pastor to teach me. I would have never known the plan God had for me without diving deeper into His Word to find out Who He is and what He desires for His people.
Maybe you’re like I was, not a Christian, someone who’s never read the Bible, someone who would have just glanced and walked by. I encourage you to take a closer look. Maybe you’ve been a Christian your whole life but you still don’t really know what God has for you. I encourage you to take a closer look. Maybe you don’t know whether you believe in the Bible or not. I encourage you to take a closer look. Isaiah 40:8 gives an important truth, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
God has painted a masterpiece. It’s a picture of your life. Yes, it’s individualized for you. Take a closer look. Find out what He has for you. His Word never goes bad. The truth always remains the same. It’s always good. It’s alive. It’s powerful. It’s for you.
If you’re in need of a good Bible-teaching local church, join us for the Word of God without compromise. We’d love to share His truth with you.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée
