A few weeks ago I received what most would think was a pretty easy assignment for a granddaddy that is a retired pastor. I was asked to buy my granddaughter a Bible, and write something in it for her.

You may be thinking, “So you bought her a study Bible, wrote, ‘Here’s a light for your path,’ and moved on with your life.” You’d be wrong. I stressed a bit. Prayed a lot.

I want my granddaughter (and everyone) to read the Bible “rightly,” as they say, and unfortunately, I believe a lot of Christians don’t.

They ask it the wrong questions. It’s not a science book.

They stress the wrong things. It’s not a history book.

They certainly use it the wrong way. For instance, we weren’t given The Ten Commandments to get our neighbor in line. The Ten Commandments are given to us, to make sure we don’t harm our neighbor. Note: it says, “You shall not steal.” It doesn’t say, “Tell Joe to not steal.”

Don’t get me wrong. I read the Bible almost every day, and by that I mean probably 363 out of 365 days a year. It is “a light for my path,” and has had a beyond profound impact on my life. But, I do not take it literally or read it as a rule book.

I read hoping the Spirit will use it to form my heart toward love and Christ-likeness.

Here’s a couple of statements that sum up my relationship with the Bible:

– I read it for formation not information.

-”All of it is true, and some of it actually happened.” (Richard Rohr)

So, I did not buy my granddaughter a study Bible. I bought her a copy of The Spiritual Formation Bible, a Bible that has prayerful exercises on each page. That’s what I read almost every day.

And I wrote this in it:

Dear One,

“God speaks to us in many ways. Some of them are creation, relationships with others, from within our own hearts, and yes, in sacred words such as these found in this book.

As you read, may you see clearly their spirit and heart.

May they increase your love for God and others.

May they give you strength to follow the path of Christ.

And, more than inform your mind, may they form your heart in the way of Jesus.”

May it be so for us all, as we “read mark and inwardly digest.”