[ r i n . a i j y o ] – flavor of life, love, and all that you dream of

Lengthy & reflective. READ ON.

For those who don’t know, I committed to read the Bible in a year, and started on the 14th of February, 2009 (yeees, Valentine’s day!). I should be done next Valentine’s. My mum bought me The One Year Bible – NLT, by Tyndale publishers and I’ve been using it ever since. It divides the daily readings as such: a section from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, a Psalm, and a few Proverbs. :) Adds a little variety so one doesn’t ingest more than one fly whilst reading the copious lists of temple inventory/genealogy in the OT.

So far, my journey in the OT has taken me into the story of King David–right now he’s abandoned his throne and is running for his life from his handsome son, Absalom. I must say, though, that King David proves himself over and over again to be a man who is truly God-centered, and offers absolute devotion to no one else. His actions and words in times of strife belie his childlike trust in God’s sovereign provision, and the fact that his kingly power was bestowed on him by a higher power. He really knew where he stood before God! And all I used to know about this “David” was that he killed Goliath and stole Bathsheba from another man…

Absalom the usurper, on the other hand, is being misled by an advisor loyal to King David, and had sex with his father’s concubines in an open tent on a tower to display his power over his disgraced father to all the peoples of Judah. Absalom is described as a handsome, dark man who had hair so thick and luscious that he only cut it once a year–and only because it became too heavy for his head (2 Samuel 14:25-27). Probably had all his Israelite fangirls squealing in the city square down below when he performed in that tent.

The section of NT brought me through the gospel of John, where the age-renown story of Jesus is being told, through the eyes of his most loved disciple. Reading the gospel in its entirety has a different effect from hearing fragments in sermons. It’s almost maddening how the Israelites love Him, then reject Him, then love Him again, and then hate Him again. They can’t seem to make up their minds! It’s so frustrating when you see how people can be blinded by their liturgies and traditions, and will go to all extremes to extinguish someone whom they don’t understand, just to remain in their comfort zone.

The things He said were obviously revolutionary in that time, because He spoke of loving one’s enemies and of Truth, of worship not only being concentrated in Jerusalem, of healing, of hope, and of His Heavenly Father who send Him into the world. He spoke Life, and was so willing to give Himself for us, despite the shitty aspects of human nature that bombarded Him during His ministry on earth. Wow. I’m glad Jesus didn’t give up and decide to go back to heaven to smite everything. I mean, what makes us so worth saving in God’s eyes? If I were Him, I’d have just zapped everyone with lighting, opened up the earth with fire or something apocalyptic like that…

As for the psalms, it’s reached Psalm 119. :) Yes, the legendary one that is super-lengthy and has the cool hebrew letter as a title–speaks of the love of God’s law and impeaches God to help the writer to walk in His ways. I don’t remember which part of Proverbs I’m at, but I do know they’re always quirky and dole out good advice, still applicable to this day. The most memorable so far is Proverbs 15:17 — “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” HAHA!

The Bible’s more entertaining than I ever thought. I unabashedly admit I thought it would be a dry, humorless history book with good advice columns scattered here and there. Now, this little daily reading is what drives me through the day, what gives me life. :) If I don’t read, I feel like something’s amiss and even a little restless. The 15 minutes I spend with that pocket-sized book lets me hear the voice of the One who loves me, who wants to tell me stories, who wants to father me, who wants to let me hear His heart-whisperings. 

Why didn’t I discover this joy earlier? Or if I may rephrase myself, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?? 

I can almost imagine a Smile at my foolishness, har har.

Dear God, I’ll eat veggies with You anyday. Just keep showing me cool stuff. :) Pinky promise.