I just wrapped up my reading of Hebrews.
And I'm sad to see it go.
I know that it's wispy pages are forever bound to my Bible - allowing me to revisit it's profoundness anytime - but I won't be sitting each morning and drinking from it's well like I have been.
From the moment I started in on that book - I felt utterly sucked in and smitten and quenched.
Scholars don't know who penned it..... Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, even Priscilla...have been suggested, but no common consensus has been made.
We may not know who exactly wove the words of this book - but we know that they were skillfully wise in their weaving - and that the Holy Spirit was present when the words were crafted.
Yes, crafted. Hebrews is truth art.
It's a feast.
It's savory.
After one morning reading - I jotted down that I wanted to "pick up a spoon and scoop up the scriptures off the page".
It was that satisfying.
Before this - I had hit a bit of a dry spell in my studying and taking in of the word. For numerous reasons - I hadn't the wherewithal or drive to consume it.
But then I felt lead to head to Hebrews.
And I was fed to the filling.
If you feel the urge to head there yourself - go into it understanding that it tastes best in small morsels. Resist the itch to plow through. Really chew on it. And persist to the end.
One of the many nuggets that struck me most was this:
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. - Hebrews 10:39
Odd that the day before I read this, a guest preacher stood on the stage of our church and beamed to us all that self-preservation is what will make you lose your life....that making all of your decisions out of fear and preserval of self will only lead you to making bad decision.
And when he spoke this out - it reverberated loud in me.
And it ran so much against my thread.
I have spent my whole life desperately trying to preserve myself (my health, my energy, my safety) - and here swoops in this preacher and this scripture telling me to not shrink back and preserve myself, but to step forward and instead concentrate on preserving my soul.
Yes.
Ah, the sun is peeping once more, friends.
There is much to plate up and pass around when it comes to Hebrews - but I suppose you'll have to go do some munching yourself. Mama here better get moving - or else!
May the Lord speak to you tenderly and intimately through whatever scripture, song, or sermon you find yourself in today.
Lord, meet and feed each one.
