I like to think of the Holy Bible like God’s Diary – a complete life cycle of consciousness divided into 66 easily referenced units. Once all the units are understood, it becomes mathematical.
A Symbolic Language.
In this regard, I think of the Bible similar to an Algebra book or a musical symphony.
Not memorized in a Jeopardy contestant way. Instead practiced until it can be performed with feeling.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
-2 Timothy 3:16-17
Below is a part of my life retold as a composition Bible stories. How many Bible verses and references do you recognize?
I was Gideon’ed and embodied the Word to survive.
All my human resources were stripped from me.
It’s as if I began with 32,000 brain cells, but took only 300 into battle.
A reduction of 99.9%, but his love endures forever.
Perhaps things would’ve gone better with me if I followed Ruth’s example, but I was Orpah. After my husband died, I kissed my mother-in-law, and returned to my own land.
In my Land I was the persistent widow demanding justice. However, the judge told me that I didn’t require adjudication, but remuneration. So, I went to Elisha, and followed his instructions.
Yet the Word was branded on my heart and tongue.
I was given a specific task.
Elisha’s direction provided stability, and conduits for Provision, but it wasn’t the mission.
I hear Reveille.
When my brother Paul asked me about this thing. He reminded me that I was a young widow, and that I should consider remarrying. Lest I come out here, and start saying things that I ought not to.
“Why don’t you marry that nice man?” Paul asked.
“I’ve already served my ’til death and death did we part. It wasn’t as romantic as the jewelry commercials make it seem.” I’d grown tired of his random acts of maleness.
Paul shook his head and sighed. “You’re vexing.”
I love my brother Paul, he’s red-haired like Esau. The construct he established is long standing, because his words are true.
But Paul’s truth was filtered through ancient Rome.
You can take the Pharisee out of the Roman, but you can’t take the Rome out of the Roman. I was educated by Jesuits, I know how misogynistic, and rigid ancient Roman men can be.
“Why should a man speak for me?” I asked Paul. “My husband is dead, my father is dead. I can confidently stand on my own.”
“All of this is true and for that reason you should go into the world. If you stay here you may corrupt all the women.” Paul said.
Corrupt?
I thought about Paul’s words while I drank a little wine in the vestibule with Timothy. Tim still has frequent stomach problems. After our 2nd glass, Tim asked in his imitation of Paul voice , “so have you grown wanton against Christ yet?”
“Stop it! You know he’s so serious about keeping us women in line.” Paul was in the next room, I was trying so hard not to burst into raucous laughter.
Only Timothy can make Paul funny. Sometimes I wonder if he’s putting a little too much Lystran tincture in our wine.
After a few more sips of Tim’s wine tincture, I asked, “What is the deal with Paul’s widow rancor?”
Tim shrugged, “It’s just Saul residue. Remember that he used to be accuser Number One of the brethren?”
“So now he’s accuser Number One of the women? Perhaps it’s time to revisit these old constructs.” I leaned in, ready for the debate.
Timothy seemed to let that energy pass right over him. He set his glass down and moved his chair closer, “Do you know the first time I saw Paul?
“The second missionary journey to Lystra.”
“Yes, I met Paul during the second one, but the first time I saw him was when he healed our town’s lame man. This was during the first journey he and Barnabas made to Lystra.”
“Like every Lystran, I was amazed. Truly I tell you that man never walked. He was just the lame guy in town. For years we just stepped around him.”
“After he was healed, the town was dizzy with excitement. If these men could heal this perpetually pitiful man, what wonders were in store for the favored. Our rulers were certain that these men were gods in human form. “
“The priest even offered Paul and Barnabas sacrifices of bulls and wreaths, but they refused. They even tore their clothes so the town people could see that they were human.”
“It was mayhem, bedlam, and disaster rolled into one. People were everywhere shouting about the return of the gods. Then some kind of contrary whisper started moving through the crowd, and the next thing you know Paul’s been stoned, and dragged out of the city!”
“When my mother told me what happened we thought he was dead. I remember thinking, All of this just because he healed the town’s lame man?”
“But Paul wasn’t dead! Not only was he alive, he got up and walked back into the city. I was amazed. Again.”
Tim’s trailed off again with that fanboy look in his eyes. His admiration for Paul is inspirational.
I brought him back to focus. “Yes, Tim. I hear you and understand that Paul’s resilient, and that the Spirit is upon him, but what’s his deal with women?”
Tim leaned back in his chair. “Perhaps it’s his idea of protection. Why should women face these things and be stoned too? Let them stay home and care for the children.”
Tim’s straight face delivery, made my boisterous laughter uncontrollable. When I finally calmed down, I said. “You are a true friend Tim, and I see why he trusts you. That explanation actually made some kind of ancient chivalrous sense.”
“However, this is a new…”
Tim reached for his glass, held it high, and said, “Jesus forgave that Roman, what say you?”
I thought about it. There were some points that I should make. Yet, I’ve discovered that the word “should” always involves an opinion.
I lifted my glass, and shouted, “Now that’s real Churrrch!”,
We laughed, and I felt good.
When I went back inside to Paul, he was holding an envelope addressed to me. I smiled and thought “he’s giving me my walking papers. Just wait until I tell the folks back home that I was kicked out of Paul’s house. Now that’s real street cred.”
“What’s this?” I asked.
Paul gave me the envelope, “Nicodemus dropped it off.”
“Nick was here? Where is he?”
Paul sat down, he looked tired today. “Couldn’t stay, but passed along those Provisions. Also you are to know that the Counselor is moving you into order as the world turns.”
When I opened the envelope there were 5 talents, one mustard seed, and a word for unfruitful fig trees. My Spiritual Super Ingredient Power Pack.
I instantly knew who Provisioned this bag.
“Do you know what to do with those?”, Paul asked.
“Give thanks to the Lord. For he is good and his love endures forever.” I said.
Paul nodded. “There is no fear in you. You have met the Son. Where did he show Himself to you? Damascus, Syria, Antioch, Macedonia?”
“Cleveland.” I answered.
Paul stood up, and gave me a kiss of peace. “Well then You are ready.”
