It’s happening again.I’ve seen it happen ten thousand times … well, not that many times, but maybe a hundred times in my 39 years of ministry.
When a light goes on.
It happens in Bible study … not at first, and not all at once.
It’s like starting a cold car (I know; folks in SoCal don’t know about that!) – the engine cranks slowly, groaning and coughing, and then, it catches – the engine begins to turn and generate some heat.
So it is with the soul and the Bible.
A lot of groaning at first – who are these strange people about whom we read? All their odd names and weird goings on? Grace on one page and blood splattered on the next. Lambs slaughtered and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
And then a cough or two; a spark of understanding flares for just a moment, and then it’s gone again.
But then, another spark … and another, and the soul’s engine turns over and begins to generate some heat.
The frown of consternation eases over into a smile of recognition – this is the God who created us and loves us dearly.
The light goes on. They student moves closer to God, or shall I say, the God who is always close to us, the presence of grace, is recognized - “Ah, so you’re the one who’s been stirring my soul.”
That’s a lot of fun for me as a teacher – I love to see it happen.
3 comments:
Yeah! Great when it happens individually and great when it happens in a group. I love it when someone says, "Oh! I just realized...".
Best to be in a group when you are on the receiving end of recognizing that grace. The moment lasts longer when it's shared.-Penny
This is my experience that you write about beautifully. It happens when students are at the feet of a wonderful teacher. Thank you for the gift of your teaching that changed my life and the lives of countless others.
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