LINKS TO PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF ‘ALMOST BIBLE’

Original Almost Bible
Almost Bible (Part 2)
Almost Bible (Part 3)
Almost Bible (Part 4)

By Jim Nichols

Even people who do not consider themselves in any way to be “students of the Bible” usually recognize a few phrases that are so well-known that they are embedded in us somewhere. One might not know how they got there, but they just sit there anyway.

Furthermore, each of us often encounters a set of words that seems not only logical and correct, but nearly holy. A friend shakes his head in wonder and says, “Why, that’s almost Bible.” 

Here are some more examples for me.

1. “It is hard to hate people up close.” Brené Brown in Braving the Wilderness identifies the truth that when you know someone’s story, it can modify your response to that person. Others, including Michelle Obama, have developed this concept also. You and I are guilty of quick, off-hand initial judgments that are based on little or no information. Admittedly, learning some background about another person takes time and discomfort, but it does allow us to have some context as to that person’s behavior and words. This is not easy, but necessary for correct communication. 

2. “Is it true? Is it loving? Is it necessary?” Richard Rohr asks that his words pass through those three gates. Once again, I find myself stepping on my own toes. For purely selfish reasons and my own ego, I and (I suspect) many of you, have words that come from our mouths that do not pass those three tests. Two out of three does not qualify as a win in this case. The comment may be true but not loving and certainly not necessary. On the other hand, it may not even be true. We do seem to be surrounded by an avalanche of lies from every direction with profit and power determining what we hear. We cannot control what others say or their motives, but we can control ourselves.

3. “You did enough today if all you did was today.” You may need to re-read that phrase. Author J.S. Park in his book As Long as You Need uses this phrase in his work as a hospital chaplain. He notes that he frequently encounters a patient who faces one medical test, new medication, procedure, or trial after another and, by the end of the day, feels like a human guinea pig. The person has no energy and keeps remembering days of past strength, vigor, and accomplishment and now sees only day after day in this bed. Park attempts to encourage the patient by acknowledging the person’s situation and also identifies that the patient is alert and speaking. This may not seem an accomplishment, but it is highly significant. As a Christian, Park parallels this comment with an assurance of God’s presence in that room even when activities are taxing and even dark.

A hospital scene is not the only place this concept applies. Each of us comes to the end of some days and asks, “What did I accomplish today? I had these great plans and interruptions piled up and I made mistakes, and it seemed like the whole thing collapsed.” It could be an important positive in our lives if we could learn in the evening to speak to ourselves “. . . I did enough today if all I did was today.” Our responsibility as God’s person is not to perform—our responsibility is to be God’s person. That might be making sure what we say is true, loving, and necessary.

4. “Uncertainty and possibility are the same thing. To be creative, things must be up in the air.” The anonymous writer is addressing an uncomfortable topic. Few of us desire uncertainty, and yet we do desire possibility. Uncertainty carries a somewhat negative glow that possibility does not. However, that may be a false understanding. 

Whatever the endeavor, if we wait for conditions to be perfect, we will be disappointed because those conditions will never arrive. For God’s followers, bravery in the form of trusting God’s consistent and proven care for his people leads us to moving forward in his grace.

It is important to take the written scripture seriously. It is also important to listen to others who bring wisdom through their words. Who really knows how and through whom the Holy Spirit speaks? It might be “almost Bible.”

Jim Nichols is a retired Abilene Christian University biology professor and current hospital chaplain