The other day in an American church the worship leader paused between songs to read a passage of Scripture. What I noticed was that he had laid his Bible on the floor behind him and picked it up to read. A guy across the aisle had placed his Bible on the floor, under his chair. I was reminded how offensive it is in another culture to disrespect the Book.
I first became aware of the “sacredness” of Scripture in the early ‘90’s while working in Russia. Books, all books, were considered a prized possession and therefore handled with esteem. To write in, make notes, underline in a book is highly offensive, and of course, one NEVER places a book, certainly not the Bible, on the floor. The ground is “profane” space, where one puts their shoes, certainly not a Bible.
What is it about our culture that we have become so careless with little regard for fashion, music or literature? I am aware the Book is just a book and does not hold particular spiritual powers. Nevertheless, it seems to me that perhaps we would have more respect for God’s Word if they weren’t thrown in the trunk of our cars or tossed in the corner of our homes. A word to short-term teams going overseas -- hold your Bibles in your hands, place them on your laps, don’t throw them on the floor.
2 comments:
Great comment Brad. The other day I was a lunch at a fancy restaurant with a guy and we were seated at a really small table. So I was about to set my Bible on the floor underneath my chair and my hand would not let go of the Bible, as if instinctually I knew it should not be on the lowest place. We could learn to treat that book with a bit more respect and reverence.
I was taught this as a young person (about age 8 or 9) by a missionary that was staying in our home. What a great reminder! Certainly American culture just continues to be more and more casual.
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