May it never stop surprising us.

​Sometimes, more often than the ‘good Christian I try to be’ likes to admit, the word of God surprises me.
Not because of grand theological wonders. Not because of supernatural revelation. But because this ancient book, with its often stilted and formal language (trust me, I haven’t found a western Sydney translation of the Psalms yet) can hold a group of children captive.
It happened again the other week. I was sitting with a group of young people, aged about 7 to 12 and I set them a task. ‘Read Psalm 145,’ I said, ‘and see if you can write down all the things you learn there about what God is like.’
And the room went quiet. 

Sure, I had to wander around and help a few groups navigate the Bible's lengthy 'Table of Contents' or hand out a few extra Sharpies, but on the whole, as each group took a slightly different approach to record their answers, these kids were captivated by the word of God. They had their heads bent low over their CEV Bibles. There were no fancy fonts. No swish translations. No illustrations to keep them focused. It was just them and the descriptions of God that have been around for thousands of years!
I sat back on my heels and watched them in wonder.
This Word we read and teach, that we hold in our hearts and share with our children. It’s living and active.
​May it never stop surprising us!