An Accurate Interpretive Grid

It was a beautiful drive through the mountains, and with my iPhone in hand, I snapped a few photos of the foliage. When I pulled up my phone pics, the vibrant colors I had seen through the camera’s lens weren’t there. I felt robbed. Experiencing the peak colors of autumn in real time was far better. I have the memories of our drive today, the colors more vivid as we rounded each curve of the highway, as a more accurate interpretive grid.

My husband recently retired, so it’s not just the leaves that are changing for me. I have yet to get a grasp on all that his retirement means. I am still waiting. One thing I know is when it comes to the changing seasons in the life of a Christian; Scripture is always the best interpretive grid. I’m praying, reading, and doing all the things. God’s voice is sure.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Rom 12:2

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…

Prov 23:7

Perhaps I’m not the only one questioning a season of life. We live in a time when all Christians could use encouragement to view our lives accurately. Our mission has remained the same no matter where we find ourselves or what circumstances make the news headlines.

When we look at the Bible, Paul and the other apostles made a common practice of writing to remind the churches of things they already knew because they understood the power of encouraging one another with the truth, even if it was already something the hearer knew (see Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 4:17, 15:1; 2 Timothy 1:6, 2 Timothy 2:14, Titus 3:1, 2 Peter 1:2, 1:13, 3:1-2, Jude 5). We should do likewise. Others should find us speaking and sharing truth to encourage our sisters in Christ.

Remember, an accurate interpretive grid: