I tried to mind my own business. Really, I did.
It's just that I had to pipe up.
"Excuse me. I guess if I had never read a Bible before, or been to church...ummm, uh...I don't know that I would really pick up the King James version and read it. If your goal is to have your hairdresser actually read a Bible, you might give her The Message instead."
I had to tell these two grandmothers beside me, in the Bible aisle at the Christian bookstore, about this contemporary version of God's Word.
The one woman held firmly to the King James version, but looked over at me and said "it's for our hairdresser and she doesn't go to church and she's
never read a Bible."
I hold out the only paperback copy of The Message the store has. The copy I am getting ready to buy for my friend. "Here, you can have this one if you want."
"I don't know," she says. "I've never heard of this version."As she leafs through it, her friend and I chat a bit. About different translations and Paul's warning about changing the Bible (that's why she reads the King James, she says). I smile and nod. I understand where she's coming from, but
what good is a Bible that's never opened?
(Other than making the 3 of us feel good?)
The friend picks up a leather bound copy of The Message and hands me mine back.
"Well, I don't know about this...but I'll give it to her," she says abruptly.
I'm inspired by these women, these beauty parlor angels, who have come to the bookstore to find a Bible to try to help their hairdresser find Jesus.
And I'm now praying for a hairdresser I'll never know.
But I have a sneaking suspicion I'll meet her one day in heaven.
Because Jesus is going through an awful lot right now to tell her He loves her.
The friend picks up a leather bound copy of The Message and hands me mine back.
"Well, I don't know about this...but I'll give it to her," she says abruptly.
I'm inspired by these women, these beauty parlor angels, who have come to the bookstore to find a Bible to try to help their hairdresser find Jesus.
And I'm now praying for a hairdresser I'll never know.
But I have a sneaking suspicion I'll meet her one day in heaven.
Because Jesus is going through an awful lot right now to tell her He loves her.
Let me tell you why you are here...you're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God.
Matthew 5:13-14,16 (The Message)
3 comments:
I think God speaks to people in the way they need. I am going to buy my own copy! My teenagers' youth pastor uses it from time to time, and I think it's pretty cool.
You were kind to the ladies...I might have been compelled to mention that even Paul would not have used the KJV...I'm pretty sure it had not been written yet. And I'll bet you knew that!
Awesome story! And good for you to speak up. We read the NLT over here in our household but I do enjoy The Message also. Again, good for you.
Good for you for several reasons!! What a testimony to show these older ladies what a younger generation is doing to seek God out. I like the NLT, but for studying God's Word, I'm a NIV girl.....sticking to what I was brought up on, what can I say!
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