Devotionals

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John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

In the beginning was the Word, what a powerful and confusing sentence. I don't think I comprehended what it meant until recently. See, I have trouble with John's gospel, it's beautiful, poetic and CONFUSING! What does it even mean? In the beginning was the Word. What word? John tells us that the Word was with God before creation, that he became flesh and dwelt with us. The Word is God and is the means to our salvation. The Word is Jesus, our savior and God.

The power of the Word in the Bible is immense. It's crazy to think that John equates Jesus with the Word of God. But it makes sense when you think about it. God spoke the world into being through his Word. Unlike my words that can be misspoken and inarticulate, God's Word is powerful and alive.

As modern Christians, it is easy to limit God's word to a small book that we can place on our shelves, to be read only when we feel like it. We assume it is all ancient and outdated. Like God gave us a book to read before bed that doesn't apply at all today. But in truth, God's word is meant to be written on our hearts and used to guide our daily decisions.

I think about how I try to teach my kids life lessons. Often I have a key phrase that I'll say over and over until it becomes part of our collective values. Often it is positive like, “I love you;” sometimes it is encouraging them to try something new, “You won't know if you don't try.” Sometimes it is to save my sanity, “You get what you get and you don't get upset.” These phrases are so ingrained into our family's vocabulary that the girls can finish them once I start.

I think that's how God's word should be. We should be able to draw it out and respond to it regularly. It needs to be a part of our being.
Jesus did that in the desert when he used God's words to resist temptation. Likewise, we should do this daily. His holy words should be our words so that his will can become our own.


Heavenly Father,
Your word is so powerful. We are so limited in how we use words. We try to articulate our thoughts and so often struggle to find the right ones. Lord, draw us into your word so that it becomes a part of our vocabulary and values. Help us to call on your word during the joyful and difficult times in our lives.
Amen.

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