Maybe you've heard the old song, "Make new friends and keep the old...one is silver, and the other gold." Then perhaps you'll understand my sentiment when I say: at last, I broke down and bought a new Bible! My precious study bible has been with me since 1999 – a gift from the church I attended at age 13 when I completed a scripture memory and bible study course. It has been worn by years of searching is pages for knowledge, uncovering truth, and growing in love with my Savior. Its pages are scribbled and scrawled with verses that shouted to me, and dog-eared to special chapters. Alas, the binding has loosened from love and Philippians through the index fall out almost every time I open its dear cover. Pale gold on the cover is the name “Jennifer J Weber” – further incentive to move on to a new Bible as it is no longer my name! As I retired my faded, brown Bible to the shelf last night, I smiled thinking of what it had walked me through. The mean middle school years when I felt as if the Lord Jesus was my only friend. Those awkward high school years when I searched it’s pages for meaning, because I just wanted to do the right thing. My move to Nashville at 18, when I followed the wisdom of the Psalms (underlined in bright orange) when the Lord spoke into my heart and called me into music ministry.
The Life Application NIV Study Bible that sits on my kitchen table now seems so familiar, and yet so foreign. Certainly, it is an aesthetic upgrade (my friends know what a sucker I am for packaging) and the name is correct (Jennifer Sinclair). Still, I know it will take me a while to get past the pristine pages that are near impossible to separate at first, the crisp turn of the pages, and the sturdy spine that is not yet broken in; but I rejoice in the years to come that this Bible will see me through. I am falling more in love with the Lord as He continues to reveal himself to me in new ways - I’m learning to be a student of His Word and it is changing my life!
A newlywed, a new name, a new Bible….and a new hunger for God’s incredible Word; I'd better hold on for the ride!
My old faithful :)
My beautiful new Bible!
I never knew getting a new Bible would be interesting to read about! But I really enjoyed reading this. You are so creative.
ReplyDeleteNice story I liked this part a lot! "A newlywed, a new name, a new Bible….and a new hunger for God’s incredible Word; I'd better hold on for the ride!"