Dialogue with God

One of the ways that God and the Bible come alive to me is to dialogue with God through the Bible and its characters.  For example, one day as I as I was reading, “our light affliction, which is but for a moment…” (II Corinthians 4:17), I remember telling Paul, “That’s easy for you to say,” with thoughts about how hard and long life can be.  Paul enumerated the hardships he encountered in his life (chapter 6).  As I listened to Paul, I noticed the attitude, spirit, and power in his words.  I told Paul, “I want what you have.  How do I get it?”

James jumped into the conversation and said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father…” (James 1:5, 17).

Paul reminded me, “…you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit…” (Romans 8:15-16).  Then Paul brought me back to where the conversation started and said, “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day to day” (II Corinthians 4:16).

I had nothing more to say to them.  Instead, I began a new conversation.  “Father…”