I have a strange, odd (and wasteful) habit; I tote fruit. I’m being serious. I buy fruit with every intention of eating it, but end up carrying it around with me.
Apples are my choice victims. I purchase a bag of apples and plan to eat one every day. I’d put one in my lunch bag or purse, but never touch it. Then it’s on my desk, then on the kitchen counter, in the car, in my hand, back in my lunch bag, next to the unhealthy sandwich I’m eating, and then back in my purse or lunch bag. Eventually, to my everlasting shame, I toss it. I’m a fruit ‘toter’.
Today, I did the same thing! I bought a bunch of beautiful red pears last night. This morning I took one and planned to eat it with my breakfast. (I’m literally laughing and shaking my head while I write this). I went to a friend’s house for dinner and I took the pear with me. I came back home and still had it in my hand. I was getting ready for bed and the pear sat on my dresser staring at me, as if it knew its demise. “Please, just eat me,” it whispered. I ignored it. Somehow, it ended up back on the kitchen counter, then back in my room!
Then I knelt for prayer before bed…and the pear was staring at me. “Eat the fruit Felecia,” the Holy Spirit said. I washed it and took a bite. If heaven was a fruit, it would taste like that pear. It was gloriously delicious!
“O, taste and see that the Lord is good” Psalm 34:8
This got me to thinking.. How many of us are Bible toters?
We tote the Bible around on our devices and we would not dare uninstall the Bible app, but somehow, we don’t really take the time to devour the words. Bibles have become that stiff book that sits in the back of the church pew or on the night stand at home.
Like my unfortunate apples, our Bibles accompany us everywhere but never get enjoyed. It collects dust when it could be working its way inside of our hearts and minds for good.
What would it be like to enjoy the Bible? What if you read it every day, without fail; basking in the precious Word of God? What if you searched it as if you were looking for diamonds? You wouldn’t be disappointed.
You don’t have to understand everything – just keep reading. It changes you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and physically!
…and Don’t be ashamed to share this beautiful treasure and meditate on its promises. Always keep the scriptures within reach and use it as a weapon against fear, sin, depression, anxiety, frustration, anger, and spiritual lethargy.
There are scripture videos on YouTube with calm background music. These are great to watch while you’re falling asleep or when you first wake up. Open the Word with respect and awe, and prepare to read the mind of the Creator. Imagine you received the journal of someone you admired (with their permission). You now have access to their most intimate thoughts! The Bible is God’s journal and you have access! Enjoy it.
“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my Beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.” Song of Songs 2:3
Just like my unfortunate fruity victims, many of us are really good at lugging God around but never enjoying Him. We flippantly use His name, make a weekly appearance at church, share a scripture post every so often, and throw one-minute prayers in His face before we eat or before we go to bed. Others go to the other extreme where we are so busy working for God that we don’t get to enjoy Him.
What would it be like to just be still and enjoy the Presence of God Almighty?
Enjoying God means to take pleasure in His promises, to rejoice in His works, to stare in wonder at His beautiful creation, and to love our fellow man.
To relish in God means to boast of His power, speak of His goodness, sing of love, and whisper His sweetness with every breath everyday!
To delight in God means to love and adore Him for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, and not even death could do you both part! When was the last time you took God down from the trophy shelf and enjoyed Him?
I tote fruit. Sometimes the poor thing is tortured for days! But though my idiosyncrasy is peculiar, nothing is worse than being a Bible toter.
You see, after carrying an apple around for a few days, it becomes dented, marked, and loses it appeal. If you do nothing more than carry God or His Word around, you’ll lose your desire for Him.
God invites us to enjoy Him – to sit in the warm sunshine of His love and just bask in His rays. Open your mind and heart wide and take a bite of Heaven. You’ll never be the same!
- The Bible Toter - January 9, 2018
- God Sees You Sis! - December 29, 2017
- 7 Biblical Lessons We Can Learn From Joseph’s Story - November 21, 2017
