The other day, I was watching an ad for Xfinity t. v. In it, the announcer was describing the features of the voice remote commands. One can change the channel, find a movie or sporting event by just speaking those words into the mic on the remote. What I learned from the ad is that if you say a well-known quote from a film, like: “you’re going to need a bigger boat,” then Xfinity will provide the movie that contains the quote.
I am a movie buff and since I learned about this feature, I have had some fun with it. Most of the lines I’ve spoken have shown me the films I expect to see. “I’ll be back,” “What we have here is a failure to communicate,” and even “My God, it’s full of stars.” showed me The Terminator, Cool Hand Luke, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. But not always. So far, the feature hasn’t worked with t.v. shows. The question: “Did I do that,” often spoken by Steve Urkel on Family Matters didn’t yield this result on the voice feature. Still, there are enough other lines that I wish to explore, just to discover what suggestions are offered from Xfinity.
As much fun as this search feature is for movies, I also realize how much I have favorite lines from Scripture. The verses have become a part of who I am. I often say them when I learn how the Lord is moving in our lives. Among them are Psalm 23:5, Psalm 32: 1-2, Numbers 6: 24-26, Matthew 22: 36-40, Luke 17:6, and First Corinthians 13: 4-8a. These passages give me comfort, are a source of encouragement and affirm my faith.
Sometimes the words lift me from a valley. At other times, they are a loving embrace when I reach a peak or experience joy. There are also the times when the verses remind me how our relationship with the Lord is constantly changing, growing deeper and stronger.
These aren’t the only Scriptures that I turn to in these days. These are the ones I turn to most often when I am in prayer and conversation with God. There’s something about the living Word of God that offers us what we need today and every day. It has been the tradition in the churches I serve to say these words after the reading of the Gospel or other passages: “The Word of God for the people of God, Thanks be to God.” And Amen.