I woke up with five words in my head – The Call of the Scriptures… The Call of the Scriptures. The Call of the Scriptures. I sleepily looked at the clock – 5:30 am. “Oh no, I woke up so early and it is a school holiday,” I said to myself. On the other hand, I thought it can be a good title for my next blog post. That was the 22nd of September 2021 Wednesday.
The days passed by and I forgot about it. This morning, 25th of September 2021 Saturday, I woke up again with the same five words The Call of the Scriptures in my head at exactly 5:30 am. I made a decision to start typing on my laptop after doing my morning routine. This is for you, my dear random reader. If you are reading this, you are ready to receive this message.
I began to wonder the time I start getting interested in the Scriptures. It is universal that all mothers across all boundaries and cultures experience this – being EXHAUSTED and CONFUSED. Written in my notes was the date – 20th of April 2019, the day I started searching for answers online. The Scripture was from the book of Isaiah 40:29-31.
“He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak, young people can fall exhausted. BUT THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD FOR HELP WILL FIND THEIR STRENGTH RENEWED. They will rise on wings like eagles, they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not grow weak.” ( Isaiah 40:29-31)
“Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Consequently, I randomly wrote Bible verses from the Old and New Testament in my notebook depending on the topic. I searched for Scriptures relating to Peace etc. Sometimes, I recorded Bible verses about the feeling I was in at that particular moment like love.
Fast forward to 2020 – the year when Covid-19 affected the whole world.
I cannot pinpoint the exact time I started consistently reading the Bible but probably around July of 2020. Decluttering the room made me discover the Good News Bible gathering dust in the bookshelf. It was a gift from my mother.
I don’t know why but I had the calling to open it and started reading the New Testament. Maybe, what triggered me were the events unfolding in 2020. That year had varied meanings to many people. The news affected you in so many ways that you just broke down and cry. The whole entire world wasn’t ready for this pandemic.
Everyone was just doing their own thing when suddenly BOOM!
Deaths
lockdowns
shelf spaces empty in grocery stores
people around you living in fear
uncertainty
First I was afraid, I was petrified (just like the song). I started reading the Bible from the Gospel of Matthew all the way to the book of Revelation, I read a chapter or 3 chapters each day depending on the content. You cannot put down the Bible in some chapters. I was blown away by the Scriptures. Why didn’t I begin intentionally reading it earlier?
When most people were trapped in the negative loop of Fear in their heads, I was exposed to the message of DO NOT BE AFRAID. HAVE COURAGE. I thought to myself, wow, this is so profound. I have read so many books in my life but consistently reading the Bible feels different.
The Word of God is inspiring. It gives you hope and makes you feel LOVED.
Among the Bible verses, this is one of the most famous most often mentioned coming from the book of John 3:16.
It was one of the few I memorized by heart. However, when I read it during the moments of 2020, I cried. In my mind, I was thinking “Oh my goodness, GOD LOVES ME? He loves me! He loves me!”
From my perspective, that Bible verse went from my head ( the superficial knowledge of the Word) to my heart ( deep within). I felt loved at that moment. I know my family loves me but I felt a different love after reading it. So from then on, when life happens, I know that I am loved. I have seen the sticker in random places with the words GOD LOVES ME and it didn’t affect me deeply. Now, that sticker has a new meaning in me.
GOD loves me and ALSO YOU.
Do you really KNOW that?
Or Did you just read about or heard about it? Just reminding you.
I finished reading the Good News translation of the New Testament. Then, one day, as I was browsing the books of a second-hand store, I saw the New King James Version of the Bible. I bought it for $3 and started reading the New Testament again.
Moreover, I mentioned this to a relative of my husband who is a Pastor from another religion. She told me to pray and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit before reading the Bible. It is a message for me all the way from Canada through Facetime.
When I went back and read the Gospel of Matthew, I asked myself, “Did I miss this part?” As if I am reading it again for the first time with a whole new unique meaning for me.
As a result, I understand why some people read the Bible their whole lives because it teaches you another lesson – the same Bible verse, a new lesson for you.
After reading the New Testament NKJV, I had the calling to read the Scriptures from the Old Testament – the Book of Psalms and the Book of Proverbs. From the Book of Psalms, I felt the faith of David. He even mentioned he was crying. From the book of Proverbs, you will read practical tips about daily living. If you are a wife/mother, I highly recommend Chapter 31 from the Book of Proverbs.
To finish this blog, here are the ten Bible verses (in no particular order) I want to share with you. I hope some will resonate with you and read them out loud for you to hear yourself. Words are powerful.
For the wife/ mother: Strength and honor are her clothing. She shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31: 25)
Read the whole chapter of Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…..
In 2020 up to now, I kept repeating to myself…
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm23:4)
Here are some of the other Scriptures I want to share with you.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. (Mark 11:22)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ( Mark 11:24)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Do not be afraid, I am with you. I am your God, let nothing terrify you. I will make you strong and help you. I will protect you and save you. (Isaiah 41:10)
My dear reader, I am glad you were able to read up to this part.
For me personally, I feel I am just at the beginning of the journey of getting to know the Lord through His Word. How about you? Reading this blog is not a coincidence. It is a gentle nudge for you coming from the Divine. About what? I do not know. Ask HIM.
May you have peace and happiness in your life. Take care.
