THE JOURNALISTS

The Journalists

For nearly forty years I have begun each morning with a simple  ritual.  I shuffle out into the living room in the early hours, pour a cup of strong coffee, get comfortable, and read Scripture and journal.  

 

I’ve learned to vary Scripture-reading over the years.   For example, I’ve read the Bible straight through from Genesis to Revelation in a year, studied Bible characters; even tried chewing on a single verse for a week at a time.  0nce I read the Bible from cover to cover in 90 days.  (Though reeling from this Iron Man Extreme Bible Reading Plan at warp speed, I am amazed at the details I can still recall—it was something about God.)

 

Currently, I have embarked on a new refreshing way to read Scripture.  It comes from ancient times.  In the morning I read Scripture and pray; then again in the evening I read Scripture followed by prayer.  Sort of like the tick-tock rhythm of a clock. 

 

But guess who shows up every day—in morning and evening Scripture?  A journalist.  Actually, a bunch of journalists.  We know them as “psalmists,” the guys who wrote the Psalms.  Some refer to the psalms as hymns and prayers, but you might also consider them ancient journal entries; emotions that seeped out of each writer’s life experience.

 

Sometimes the journal entries brim with exhilaration and joy; other times they go gaga over the beauty of God’s creation.  And to be honest, not a few times the journalists grumble about their life--about their enemies or getting old or the neighbors.  Athanasius, an early Christian leader from the 3^rd century, said that when you read these ancient journal entries, the psalms, they mirror our own lives with our ups and downs, chaos and confusion, and fears and forebodings.

 

 

So do yourself a favor, next time you pick up these ancient-yet modern journal entries--the psalms:  grab your coffee mug, get comfortable, and enter into life lived through the psalms.  Consider just a few tips to get yourself launched into a journalistic / psalmist adventure:

 

• First, find a place and time away from the clamor of fb, emails, or cell rings.  (NOTE: 20-30 minutes away from the hand-helds won't kill you; it will create a noise-free environment in which to hear God speaking to you.)
• Try reading one psalm each morning and one each evening

• Ask lots of questions of your passage--like, who or what are my greatest enemies at this moment in my life (Psalm 3:1)?  How has God disciplined or trained me through my family, circumstances, or personal experiences and what lessons have I learned (Psalm 6:1)?  In what three ways might I prosper if I am intentional about attending to God's word (Psalm 1)?  

• Read as an act of worship, not a duty. 

• Pray a simple prayer like this before your read: 

 

Almighty God, I worship You

in this moment of reading Your words. 

May You reveal yourself to me through the reading

and doing of Scripture.  And in all I read and do,

may you direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose

through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives

and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

for ever and ever. 

Amen.

 

After all, that's what Jesus did during his final week.  He lived in the pages of these journal entries because they mirrored his own emotions and experiences.

Can't do any better than that.