by Rev. Diane Ury
National Ambassador for Holiness
I was never a morning person until I met the Voice of God through His Word. My life was full of such pain and sin, despair had gripped my spirit. Every view was dark and like a fog. I began reading the Bible because someone who loved me invited me to. It wasn’t long before I could sense that Scripture is not merely of this world. There is a quality to the nature of the Bible that is supernatural. It is personal and full of love and truth. Within it, I didn’t just learn something that helped me. I tasted goodness. I met Jesus.
Since those days, decades ago, it has been my greatest delight to wake up early, prepare a delicious cup of coffee, open my Bible and soak in Reality. Left alone in my own thinking, feelings and anxiety, I remain in darkness and usually end up blaming someone else for my situation. When the Bible speaks, I know one thing for certain: those words are not confined only to human reason. The Voice and the ways to live come from outside this broken chaos—which includes my futile thinking processes and attempts at mustering up good behavior or positive emotions. Light comes into my darkness. Super natural: beyond nature. Every morning I long for this more than my very breath. And God meets me. He hears my cries, and I “hear” His Voice speaking of His holy love.
“I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.” Psalm 119:147 (NLT)
During these days of continued craziness in our world, I sit outside with my Bible. In the dark stillness comes singing. The birds are like symbols of the power of God to penetrate everything I’m thinking and feeling. They seem to know more than what was reported in the news the night before. Their singing is undeterred. It’s healing to my soul. First thing, I read a few Psalms, prayers that God Himself gave to us through real people who went through all kinds of terrible times. He knows us and what we need.
In the Bible we find truth that doesn’t waver, words that describe how to live a lifestyle of holiness. We see that as creatures we have limits, and we are not to adjust those to our own feelings. We realize our Creator is Holy Love, whose authority over our lives always reflects what is in our best interest because He loves us. We do not rightly have the option to dismiss God’s commands. Jesus can make us what He teaches us we should be.
In the Bible we find the Source for our mission of The Salvation Army—the selfless love, compassion, justice, and mercy of God’s heart. His Word communicates not just ideas, but His very Life. I’m extraordinarily grateful these days that Life offers Himself freely and entirely.
Jesus is inviting you to find hope in His Word.
