The Bible and a Magic 8-Ball
I had a Magic 8 Ball when I was a girl. I often asked it for direction on vitally important matters.
Me: Should I tell Bobby I like him?
8-Ball: My sources say no
Me: Should I wear my purple, denim hip huggers to school today?
8-Ball: It is decidedly so
Me: Should I have a burger for lunch?
8-Ball: Concentrate and ask again
Me: But my lunch period is right now!
According to that reliable source Wikipedia, the Magic 8-Ball was invented in 1946. The little answer cube floating in liquid inside the plastic ball is covered with twenty different responses appropriate for “yes” and “no” questions. We thought it was really cool back in the 70’s. Today I came across a website where you can ask questions of a virtual 8-Ball and get the same goofy answers.
Way back then the 8-Ball was just for fun. I did not really make decisions based on its advice. However, every single one of us relies on something to navigate life. Sometimes it’s our intellect. Sometimes it’s what makes us feel good. Sometimes we do whatever our culture says is best.
What about you? What guides your life? What principles do you live by?
The best guidebook for life is the one written by the Creator of life. God revealed Himself and His ways to us in the Bible. It speaks to every area of life.
If you’re a regular to this blog, then you know I’ve been talking about Donald Whitney’s book “Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health.” Every Christian should be continuing to grow spiritually until the day Jesus calls us home. Whitney’s book gives us ten questions to ask ourselves to evaluate our personal growth. The second question is: “Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?” Well, are you? Am I?
Before we can be governed by God’s Word we have to know it. We have to read it, study it, and meditate on it. Whitney says the best way to deepen our desire for God’s Word is “simply to discipline yourself to feast on it. Nothing can make us hungry for Scripture more than Scripture itself.” Hmm, I’m that way with chocolate.
Here are a few specific suggestions Whitney gives to help us develop our dependence on God’s Word:
- Make sure you’re in a church that clearly teaches from the Bible
- Regularly use Scripture as a guide for prayer
- Don’t merely read the Bible, meditate on it
- Read the Bible daily
- As you read, identify at least one way you can respond
Think about this: How hungry are you really for God’s Word?
2 Responses to “The Bible and a Magic 8-Ball”
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love the blog, thanks for sharing your thoughts
Yes, but I still would like to have an 8 Ball, cause I never did:(
And better yet… an 8 ball w/Bible verses:)