I recollect the days when I was growing up back in India, where food was traditionally eaten on a banana leaf and served with great care. In this practice, no one was denied any specific item, even if they did not particularly like it. The food was always healthy and diverse. We were encouraged to eat whatever was served, minimizing waste. If someone wanted more of a particular dish, the food servers were quick to oblige.
As time passed, dining traditions evolved, and today, the buffet system is widely preferred, especially at weddings and social events. Buffets offer a variety of food options, allowing guests to choose what they want and avoid what they do not.
Similarly, when I was a child, my parents and spiritual mentors trained me to read the Bible comprehensively—covering books, chapters, and passages to grasp the full context. Avoiding parts of scripture was not an option; we were taught to imbibe all of God’s word. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”) affirms, every part of scripture plays a role in shaping our spiritual journey. Some verses acted as a wake-up call, confronting our shortcomings and guiding us toward righteousness (Hebrews 4:12). Others provided comfort, promises, and lessons on consequences. This approach to scripture mirrored the traditional food-serving method—accepting everything that was provided.
As I grew older, life’s shifting priorities sometimes pushed my Bible reading to the background. I often felt guilt for not investing as much time in scripture and prayer as my mother did. She exemplified devotion, waking up at 3 AM for prayer, even when exhausted (Mark 1:35—”Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed”). Seeking guidance, I prayed for the discipline to dedicate time daily to God’s presence. This transition was not easy. At times, I merely picked a single promise from the Bible, claiming it without understanding the historical or contextual significance. This, I realized, was similar to the buffet system—selecting what seemed appealing while ignoring the rest.
However, God shaped my heart to recognize the importance of understanding scripture in its entirety. When receiving a Bible promise, I learned to read the preceding and following passages to fully comprehend its meaning (Acts 17:11—”Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character… for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”). I have heard people criticize preachers for sharing only promises and not the broader context. Yet, God helped me see that every gospel sharer has a purpose—offering hope in a world full of chaos. A single promise may be the encouragement a weary soul needs to take a step toward Christ.
Let us be faithful gospel sharers while ensuring our own spiritual nourishment is not selective, like a buffet. Instead, let us embrace the full feast that God lays before us (Matthew 4:4—”Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”). His words—whether comforting or convicting—help us grow, guiding us to live a more faithful and righteous life.
Questions for Thought:
- How do you approach scripture reading—do you take it as a whole or selectively choose what comforts you?
- In what ways can you ensure a more disciplined and comprehensive engagement with the Bible?
- Have there been moments when a difficult passage of scripture challenged you to change? How did you respond?
- How can you balance receiving biblical encouragement while also embracing correction and discipline?
- What steps can you take to share the Gospel with others while maintaining a holistic understanding of God’s Word?