Going Digital....What Do We Leave Behind?

"Wow Mom! You have a Holy Bible?! You should take that to church," exclaimed Tori, completely mesmerized by finding a copy of a Bible that I have had for a little more than 20 years.

It hit me that Tori knows I read the Bible every day, but has only ever seen me read it in a digital format. Her realizing that I have a hard copy of the Holy Bible was simply astonished her. To hear her, you would think we own the most prized possession in the world. And she would be right, afterall, within these pages are the amazingly true stories of life.....love, hate, war, etc. Most importantly, within these pages, is the key to eternal life. 

But within these pages are also a more recent true life story. As I leafed through the pages of this once well used Bible I took a trip down memory lane. You see it contains bits and pieces of my own life as an early teen and into young adult hood. There are treasured bookmarks, Sunday bulletins, highlighted passages, and even notes passed on the bus and in the halls from a dear friend, Hope. 

These folded up pages contained a handwriting that I would recognize like my own, those of a friend who I will always and forever love like a sister and who I will always see with her smile that lit up her face as she would sing "Victory in Jesus".

We passed many notes in our 2 short years at the same school. Notes about boys, friends, likes, dislikes, songs, quotes, and Bible verses. These particular notes include words of inspiration, words about being a Christian, and Bible passages. 

As I think on these notes and other remnants left in the pages of my Bible, I realize that without meaning to, I have left a piece of me. Maybe something only I will understand, but still a part of my story. As we have moved into such a digital world, I too have selected to read many books electronically. I love that I can take notes this way and have my books with me at any given moment, but I learned a few years ago, I will probably always prefer my professional books in a hard copy. 

Up until last night, I also LOVED my Bible being with me via my tablet as well. I can take notes, have a set reading plan, set devotional plan, listen to scripture, and receive my daily verse. All things I love, love, love having at the tip of my fingers. Now I realize that there is a part that I miss about my hard copy. You see I am more likely to highlight and take notes in my hard copy and these lead to a story that can unfold during those trips down memory lane. They also lead to a source of peace as I flip, read highlights or notes, and reflect. 

As I leave you this evening, I ask that you take the time to stop and reflect. Do you have a Bible full of highlights, notes, or a paper or two? When was the last time you stopped to relive those moments? 

As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us: All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

So, I probably won't be giving up my digital Bible anytime soon, but I can become more diligent on tracking my Christian journey and allowing my life to show up in my Bible. For me that will most likely be in the form of a notebook. What about you? How will you share your journey? How will you be a witness to others as well as to yourself when you go back to reflect? How will you take notice of scripture so that you may learn and teach from it so that you may be equipped for every good work?

Lord, I ask that you be with me as I continue my journey, as I walk down the path you have chosen for me. Help me to leave footprints so that I can see where I have been and so that others can learn from my journey so that they may leave their own for others to learn from as well. Amen.