“God is bigger than people think.” Jimmy Dean
I sat waiting for friends when I couldn’t help overhearing a gentleman at a nearby table. He dominated the conversation by quoting Bible scriptures, then elaborated on their meanings. The woman and man who accompanied him tried to join in, but mostly sounded like they were trying to impress or at least keep up.
That was my take on their interaction, probably skewed by young adulthood memories around my parent’s kitchen table. Cousins excused themselves after they ate, my sister-in-law and husband found couches for a nap, but I hung in there, trying hard to impress my dad. The problem was, I couldn’t quote scripture like my brother. Still can’t.
It wasn’t until I gave up trying to hold my own in their conversations that I realized reading scripture, although important in my daily life, isn’t typically where I meet God.
Instead, I spent hours with him while listening to Rascal Flatt’s song, I’m Movin’ On. When my husband corrected me from singing “I never dreamed one would end up where I don’t belong” (I know, it makes no sense) to “I never dreamed home would end up where I don’t belong,” I was able to leave an emotionally unsafe situation.
There was also the time I walked on the beach for miles and talked with God until I got an answer about how to handle a situation with my mom. God responded out of the blue, not the black and white print.
Another time, I dreamed I walked out of a courtroom where I had explained my life for years and still didn’t feel understood. I closed the tall wooden doors behind me, then sat with my back against them, relieved I never had to go back in. When I awoke, I knew I had my answer to a longstanding prayer.
I could go on and on naming times I’ve encountered God outside the Bible, but still I’ve hesitated to believe these hold the same value as the scripture I can’t quote. That was, until God gave me another message out of the blue. This one, I could remember.
He’s bigger than the Bible.
When have you been tempted to underestimate an experience because you couldn’t explain it or back it up with facts? God inspired scripture, but he’s not limited by it.
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – Remember all the times the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the laws? Well, there are still Pharisees and Jesus still breaks the laws.
I think meditating on the word is so important as when trauma hits and does for all of us the word of he bible will bring us peace. Excellent post.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. My word for 2013 is ponder – it reminds me to meditate.
Love the photo of you with the donkey. So sweet!
Kim, your life stories are so full of inspiration.You must enjoy writing about them.They seem to be bursting to be told. I always enjoy them and love sharing them with others. Yes \”God is bigger than the Bible\”and \”bigger than all our problems\” as the song goes.
Joel, you\’re so insightful – many times I do feel like I\’m about to pop to tell a story. I\’m very grateful to have an audience willing to read and leave comments on the ones I post.
Thanks for sharing on One In His Spirit. I feel honored to be over there – so many wonderful people.
so agree…I just try to keep my ears open for \”His Word\”…
good post!
Me too, Marilyn. I\’m sure I miss a lot, but I do try to pay attention. Happy you\’re here.
Perspective shifted. It\’s a good thing that God talks to us in ways other than when we\’re reading His Word! Like you noted, when I hear His voice it\’s not usually as I\’m reading. I appreciate your observations.
Thanks, Natine. I love it when I get a different perspective, especially on God. He\’s so big, it\’s exciting to think how much more he\’ll reveal when we\’re ready.
I would comment … but first, I am going to re-read this post. Three times or more …
Beth, you\’re too kind. Can\’t wait to read Dave\’s post in the morning. Anyone who is reading these comments, be sure to check out http://www.bethvogt.com – all about when life doesn\’t go as planned.
Great insight! Thanks for sharing…
Thank you, Carol. Hope you\’ll drop by again.
Thought provoking blog, Kim. Thanks for posting.
Thanks so much, Sharron. I enjoy reading your posts and seeing you around Facebook.
From Facebook –
Sharon Thomaszfski, Edie Moore, Steve Mathisen and 4 others like this.
Tami Seaborn Thank you Kim Henson I truly love your posts and I think you are so inspiring!! Thank you for sharing.
Monday at 11:26pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
Kim Henson And you are very encouraging, Tami Seaborn. Great to see you the other day. Oh my gosh, saw Kelly today after she shopped with a friend yesterday. Wish you could have seen the CUTE outfits she bought Claire. That little girl already has a closet full of clothes!
Monday at 11:48pm · Edited · Like
Jordyn Redwood All truth is God\’s truth no matter the source– The Truth Project.
Tuesday at 12:11am · Unlike · 1
Kim Henson Love that, Jordyn Redwood. Checking out The Truth Project.
Tuesday at 12:24am · Like
Kim Henson Jordyn Redwood, are you referring to Focus on the Family\’s project? I\’m always so curious when I\’m not sure about a reference to something.
Tuesday at 12:26am · Like
Jordyn Redwood Yes… Here\’s a link. Greatest class ever. http://www.thetruthproject.org/
The Truth Project
http://www.thetruthproject.org
Focus on the Family\’s The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group curriculum designed to communicate the Christian worldview.
Tuesday at 12:53am · Unlike · 1 · Remove Preview
Kim Henson Thanks, Jordyn Redwood. Love Focus on the Family\’s work.
Tuesday at 1:20am · Edited · Like · 1
Joel Carter Outside the scripture…that\’s where we spend most of our time living. Where better to encounter God more, share, inspire and truly be a Christian, and oh yes, to really let Him talk to us and help us on our journey too.Thanks for another great God experience outside the Bible.
Tuesday at 5:56am via mobile · Unlike · 1
Peggy Harley Eaddy Thankfully our God is bigger than the Bible. He is so big that we cannot comprehend. His Word covers us always and everywhere. I am thankful my encounters with God extend past my reading His Word, but I am grateful to have His Word. Thanks for your inspirational writings.
Tuesday at 9:21am · Unlike · 1
Kim Henson Joel Carter, thanks so much. I agree. I don\’t want to justify not knowing scripture, but at the same time, I don\’t want to get caught up in knowing it so well that I hold it over people and ignore life\’s experiences. I love your comments.
Tuesday at 4:54pm · Like
Joel Carter Kim you\’ve got it right, heart felt, not head knowledge.
Tuesday at 4:57pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
Kim Henson I\’m with you, Peggy Harley Eaddy – grateful God is too big to put in a book, even if it is the Bible. I\’m also thankful for his guidance in and out of scripture. I appreciate your comments always.
Tuesday at 4:59pm · Like
Kim Henson Like that, Joel Carter.
Tuesday at 10:08pm · Like · 1
I really liked this blog, Kim! Guess it\’s because I can ID w/it! \”God is Big Enough!\” Something I\’ve come to believe & accept the past three years! Answers from God to my prayers & questions come at times I never expect! Rarely from reading scriptures, although I do read them often & search them for answers. It\’s when I decide that God knows the beginning of my life to now, the future & eternal life w/Him that I relax & know that in His Time, His Way, His Purpose,..the solution will come! It has happened so many times,..and I am still amazed each time! It\’s called \’peace of mind\’ when I let Him do it His Way!
God bless you, dear friend! Had no idea of the alienation between you & your mother,..so sorry,..
So pleased to be connected to your writings/blogs!
Sheri, your comment is so beautifully written and heartfelt. I appreciate every word. The same happens to me over and over … I don\’t get my answers when I\’m insisting on them. I get them when I trust they\’ll come in His time.
Mom died in July and I feel closer to her than I have in years, maybe ever. Thank you for your condolences. Ours was a strained relationship, but I still loved her dearly.
Happy to have you as a reader.