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My book, that I am now editing, has so consumed me that I continue to neglect blogging. A blog post, for me, generally takes a great deal of my time. I carefully think and research the topic or issue. But there is such a thing as less involved posts! I’m going to attempt to have some briefer posts – starting with this one.
Gasp – I have a “life verse” for the first time! I always felt inept because I never had a life (or favorite) verse as many Christians seem to have one. But on the other hand, I was not sure that having a life verse was even a good idea.
We go through different stages in life, and certain verses are more applicable at different times. One verse may not be able to cover it all. I believe so many things about God – how can I narrow it down to one verse? Of course, I am a wordy person so the thought of one verse is immensely challenging for that reason too. Maybe I could come up with 20 life verses? And that is the core concern: All of the Bible is important (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and focusing on one verse could actually be dangerous or lead to lopsided beliefs. For an excellent blog post about this, see Tim’s blog:: I Can Live Without A “Life Verse” (and so can you).
I completely agree with Tim’s article, yet I now have a life verse! It is Acts 20:24:
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.“
Somehow this seems an ideal verse that will cover all times of my life. No matter what my circumstances, is my life a testament to the good news of God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ? I pray that it will be.
I was not looking for or seeking a life verse, but recent Bible reading and spiritual thoughts brought this verse to my attention. It became real to me in a whole new way. Having read through Acts several times in the past, this verse never jumped out to me before – but now it did.
If you don’t have a life verse, that is okay. I would not suggest going on a hunt for one. But, maybe, at some point, the Lord might direct you to a special verse that will give you hope and direction.
I’ve found some stages in life where one verse or passage resonates so strongly that it provides strong guidance in whatever’s happening at the time. The times when I’ve questioned someone having a life verse is when it sounds like they took a class where one of the exercises was to find a life verse and then act upon it (or did it on their own and came up with one); that’s just another way to box oneself in along with limiting the word of God.
Relying on the teaching of Acts 20:24 is wise, though. much like if someone said their life verse is “Do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31.) These types of passages are universally applicable.
More good points Tim. Yes, the concern is when a life verse creates a theologically inaccurate situation because it is followed without considering the whole counsel of God. And purposefully hunting for a life verse could lead to a narcissistic choice of one…
For a life verse, yours is a good one, Laura. I agree with you (and Tim), though, that placing certain verses above other passages of Scripture is probably not wise. But as Tim says above, some passages just really resonate with us at particular times. The verse that gives me the most comfort and encouragement at my current stage of life (with special-needs kids) is Lam. 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” It’s hard to imagine a time when that verse would NOT have relevance to my life, actually.
Thanks Jeannie for sharing this verse, and it is broadly applicable. I appreciate how those verses are in the middle of Lamentations – a lament on the destruction of Jerusalem.