“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“There’s a snafu in our plans tonight. But, don’t worry about it, come on over anyway.” Rebekah whispers into the phone and then quickly hangs up the receiver.
“Great.” It wasn’t like I had options for better plans that night.
I was only fifteen years old, with a learner’s permit and no car. I was at the unfortunate mercy of my parent’s permission on what activities I was allowed to do for the weekend.
Thankfully, they agreed to drop me off at Becka’s house to join her for a night of babysitting and a sleepover afterwards.
The family that we were sitting for was totally fictional. Rebekah’s quick and deviant mind was brilliant at coming up with clever lies for our secret weekend escapades.
“Are you ready, Jules?” My mother called from the bottom of the stairs.
“Just a minute!” Tossing my skimpiest mini skirt into my overnight bag, I scurried around my room looking for the rest of my nightclub essentials.
“Be right there!” My fingers searched behind my books for the drugstore lip-gloss and eyeliner I hid behind a paperback version of Anne of Green Gables.
“Ready!” Swooping up my warm coat and scarf, I dashed down the steps.
“What took you so long? You’re just babysitting.” My mom looked at me suspiciously but pulled the keys out her purse anyway.
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes.
The Chicago night looked like navy velvet curtains hanging from the sky. The calendar claimed it was springtime but the weather didn’t seem to do much to back those claims.
The cold air burned my lungs as I waited for my mom to unlock the car.It took a minute for our old station wagon to start. My mother attempted some small talk while she gave the car a chance to warm up.
“So, you really like this Rebekah girl, huh?” Mom was prying a little too hard for my comfort.
“Yeah.” One-word answers weren’t usually my forte’ but, I was nervous that she would keep asking questions. And quite frankly, I was the worst liar in every kind of way.
“Let’s listen to some music.” I flipped on the radio in attempt to divert her attention. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Their rosy hue would soon incriminate me if I didn’t do something—and fast.
There were only two radio stations that my mother allowed to play in her car: the all news station or Christian radio. Usually, simply turning on the radio was the start of an argument; but today I happily sang along with the hymn that was blaring through our muffled speakers.
“Well, you’re in a good mood.” Satisfied, my mother turns to backs up the car.
Those knots of tension riding up my neck slowly diffuse while I sing along with the tune. Today it was my salvation, so I gladly embrace it.
That fifteen-minute ride seemed to take forever. As my mother pulled our rusty station wagon up Rebekah’s driveway, my heart did a little flip-flop. This was always the most nerve-wrecking part. At any moment, Rebekah’s mother could open the front door. If our moms ever met, they would surely compare notes (our lies).
This was something Becka and I tried to avoid at all costs.
“Thanks mom!” Grabbing my things, I quickly kiss her on the cheek.
Rebekah opened the front door. I dashed into her house so quickly that my coat didn’t have the chance to pick up one snowflake.
“Whew.” My back was pressed against the door as if the wicked witch of the west were waiting on the other side.
“We’ve got a problem.” Becka’s eyes were round and she tilted her head to the stairs leading up to her bedroom.
“Hey Mrs. Feingold!” I yelled while my feet followed Becka’s lead up the stairs.
“Hi, Julia.” She was too busy in the kitchen to take much heed. One less mom we didn’t have to worry about was just fine with me.
“I forgot that we have Passover Seder tonight.” Rebekah’s voice is anxious.
“What’s that?” I remember hearing it mentioned in the Bible, but it wasn’t a holiday our family celebrated.
“My parents are Messianic Jews. If we don’t join in Passover they will go ballistic.” She paces back and forth in her tiny bedroom. The wooden planks squeak with every step Rebekah makes.
“Big deal. Let’s do the Passover thing. Can’t we just go out afterwards?” From her expression, it’s obvious that our night is as good as burnt toast.
“It’s so long, Jules. Plus…. it’s super boring.”
I was now beginning to see the truth: Becka wanted someone to partner in her misery and that’s why she omitted telling me this information the phone!
Fifteen minutes later, we were trudging down the rickety steps of her worn home. Candles were lit. The old table was covered with a white cloth and Mr. Feingold sat at the head of the table with a look of serene reverence.
Upon taking our seats, he lifted up a silver tray, explaining the contents. Lifting up the Bible, he read it with such passion that the verses came alive like never before. They were no longer just words from an old book…
That night I was transported into another realm. The wind passing through the thin floorboards of that small kitchen faded away. I was now on a trek through the desert…experiencing the trials of the early Hebrew slaves.
Our plans to sneak out into the night and dance it away with a bunch of strangers became menial in importance.
Nothing felt better than experiencing the presence of God. God was here…and I wasn’t going anywhere.
In John 1:1 we are told that God’s word is living, always in existence and IS God. When I first read that verse, I thought it was more than a stretch. It sounded like utter nonsense to me! But, over time, the more I read God’s word, the more alive it became to me. The more I applied the principals in it, the more my life changed for the better. There was definite power in this ancient book called the Bible.
If you are looking for supernatural experience, I challenge you to take God’s word to heart, to really study it, apply it and see if it doesn’t do something magnificent in your life. God wants to touch you, but how can He if you won’t reach out and touch Him?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have never really taken John 1:1 seriously. If that little verse is true, then this simple Bible is a supernatural gift.
I want to experience something deeper than what I have gotten in church services or what I have in my previous reading of the Bible.
If there is a veil that needs to be lifted for me to uncover the treasures within your Holy Word, I want them lifted. I want to see all that I need to see to be all that you want me to be.
I commit to picking up your word everyday, to praying to you until I hear your voice. I expect that you will show up because you have done it for others. If you can do it for them, you can do it for me.
In Jesus’ precious name, I am ready to believe that the Bible is more than just a book; it is a piece of you, God. And I thank you for it, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verse: John 1:1
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan