“With too many [biblical] details, we’d get lost in the weeds. We would see so much truth that we’d understand little of it. That’s why the Spirit of God selected only certain events to record in the Bible.”- Dr. Wayne Stiles
“There are also many other things . . . which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”- John 21:25 (NASB)
In Chapter 1 (“Living in the Gaps with God”) of Waiting on God, Dr. Wayne Stiles emphasizes the Bible tells us all we need to know. The Bible omits details that scratch curiosity’s itches. Scripture only provides selected events.
Frankly, Wayne states, he’s grateful the Bible gives us the bottom line. By exercising His prerogative to reveal the nitty-gritty for a specific book or passage, God communicates specific truths.
However, this selectivity poses the possibility of a problem for us. Since biblical narratives usually reflect only pivotal points, we tend to perceive the biblical lives as nothing but nonstop action. By comparison, our lives seem dull. Therefore, when reading the Bible, we may dismiss the story as inapplicable to our lives. Or we assume God is angry with us or views us as insignificant.
Dr. Stiles offers these encouraging words:
“Most of life is lived in the gaps between great moments. The peaks seem to protrude only after miles and miles of death valleys. . . . We read and assess the Bible intellectually, but we evaluate our own lives emotionally. Sometimes the disconnect seems huge. And often discouraging.
But gaps are normal. And expecting gaps is essential if we hope to maintain a life of faith as well as discern God’s hand in our lives.”
Today’s question: What truths keep you from getting lost in the weeds? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Hope while we wait”
