Definition of 'principle'
a a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine or assumption;
b (1):
a rule or code of conduct;
(2) habitual devotion to right principles;
{emphasis mine}
I was listening by divine appointment this week,
I am sure, to
Family Life Today on the Moody Radio Network as they were interviewing Michael Emlet, author of the the book, "CrossTalk." I was immediately intrigued with his insight into the topic of "What the Bible Is and Isn't" on September 30th.
[I actually encourage you to go to their website and listen to this and other programs
- their programming has been a great help to me as seek to be
the wife and mother God would have me be.]
I have been so excited at the insight the Lord gave me through this program, confirmed through my own personal Bible study this week and then again through interactions with other believers. Mr. Emlet encouraged listeners "...to dig deeper into the Scriptures for wisdom and guidance and to not just see the Bible merely as a book of do's and dont's." (
http://www.fltoday.com/, Sept. 30, 2010). He went on to explain that the Bible is best interpreted not in light of Biblical principles alone, but that these Bible principles should inevitably lead us toward the centrality of the cross, Jesus Christ and our personal relationships with Him.
WHAAAA!!!
I love, LOVE, LOVE this.
And, it is so relevant in my life right now. I love how God's Word is so relevant and timely in our lives. You see, at this time in my life...raising young children who face a tough/rough world, being a working wife and mother, being involved in a church of imperfect (of which I am PRIMARY), yet wonderful people, facing difficulty it seems on every hand in my own life and with family and friends, I often turn to Biblical principles to determine my actions - or more often sadly - my REACTIONS - to life.
But, let me say, that Now - NOW... I am looking at the Word of God, that I love so much, as SO MUCH MORE. Don't misunderstand me...I have never just looked at it as a book of principles - do's and dont's. But, this was a great "pull-it-all-together-in-my-mind" teaching for me that I needed.
Hence...an EXAMPLE from our household:
I have been noticing lately that in the life of my 4 1/2 year old daughter, 
...the worries of the world are beginning to crowd in already. How sad...how very sad. She is only 4 1/2, for mercy's sake! But, in her sweet innocence, over the last few weeks, she has begun anticipating her "tomorrow's" in fear and anxiety. And, here go our conversations...
"Mommy, what is tomorrow? Then, what is the next day?"
"Daddy, where are we going today? Are we staying home today?"
"Mommy, what will we do in three days? What will we eat when we get there?"
"Daddy, is tomorrow Sunday? Will I go to Sunday School? Will you pick me up? Then what?"
She has already begun to "worry about tomorrow...". And, in typical 'Christian mother' fashion - previously I may have told her ..."So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." (NIV, Matt 6:34) I have tried to teach my children - not "just because I said so," but "because this is what the Word of God says." And, I still do...she and I have been memorizing this verse together this week and studying it.
BUT, and don't miss this...But, now I directly help her correlate this "principle" to her relationship with Jesus Christ...that He loves her SOOO much, that he went to the cross to die for her...that He can and will take care of tomorrow...so that she can enjoy today!
And...isn't it amazing that when I can not comfort my child...
God uses His Word to comfort a 4 1/2 year old little girl...
and her mother?
