(March 2017)
I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Excuse me sir – no pictures, please put your camera away, this is worship time.” Embarrassed, I apologised and quickly put my iPhone away. I was visiting All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, to experience a Sunday evening service, with the resident orchestra leading the praise and worship. All Souls is known globally for championing faithfulness to Scripture. Former Rector, John Stott, immediately prior to entering the pulpit to preach, would kneel in prayer before the congregation. He knew his need, for he was about to explain to those listening, the very Word of God. His example created a culture of respect for Holy Scripture that remains at All Souls to this day. In preparation for worship, in every Pew is placed a Bible, even – on the chair of every orchestral player (see picture).
For many today, the words of Scripture are accessed through an app. No longer are they printed and bound between a cover, in a special and personal ‘Holy Bible’. “Come on Preacher,” I hear you say, “You must be pleased about this total 24/7 accessibility – encourage more!” Sure, but is it possible that we might treat our Bible as ‘just another app’, alongside the others (news, banking, travel, restaurants, music, and electronic books etc.)? What words are holy? What words are true? What words are fake? Could we forget that in contrast to the words of our daily news feed, words in Scripture are nothing less than God’s Word in written form?
The Bible talks about a sacred place (Sanctuary – Heb 4:16), a sacred time (Sabbath – Luke 6:5), a sacred people (Church – 1 Peter 1:9), and sacred words (Bible – Rev 22:18). When Moses stood on “holy” ground, he was told to take off his shoes (Exodus 3:5). When the Apostle John in vision, looked through a window into heaven, he saw thousands of angels offering praise and worship to God (Rev 5:11-12). Moses and John demonstrate what happens when the created meet the Creator. There is respect, awe, wonder and reverence! They ask the question – who am I, in relation to Him? As we connect with God through His Word, are we not compelled to ask the same question?
Could it be that reading Scripture is about enjoying the pleasure of His company, lifting us high above the trivial and the common? Our Holy God longs for us to connect with him, listen and hear his voice. His words are more than one among many, but the ultimate voice. They may be ancient words, but they are holy words! To this end, when we next open the pages of our Bible, or press the app to open, I trust this simple prayer might be of help.
Lord, here is my Bible, here am I, open my mind, open my heart – and speak. Amen.
• Ancient Words, Holy Words (Michael W. Smith) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmTkXNpwzs