There’s a beautiful story of a grandson who did everything like his grandfather. When he saw that his grandfather was reading the Bible every morning, he began to walk in the Word himself. 

One day he showed up at his grandpa’s house and said: “Grandpa, I don’t understand many of the things I read in the Bible, and I don’t remember many of the things I do understand. Is it even worth reading the Bible?” 

True to his nature, the grandfather used a practical example to help his grandson. He told the boy to take an empty coal bag, go down to the stream, fill it with water and then bring it to him. 

The boy ran to the stream with the dirty black bag, filled it with water, and began to drag it back to his grandfather. But when he got there, the bag was empty! “O no!” said the boy, “the bag is empty!” 

“I see,” said the grandfather. “Go back and get more water from the stream!” 

The boy went back down to the stream. With difficulty, he filled the bag with water and dragged it to the grandfather, with the same result. Not a single drop of water! Again and again, the grandfather sent the boy back to try again. 

Eventually, the boy got discouraged and said: “No, Grandfather, it’s not working. Nothing is happening!” 

The grandfather responded: “Look carefully at the bag. What do you see in the bag?” 

The boy looked at the bag and quickly realised what had happened: “The bag is white. All the black coal dust has been washed out!” 

“Exactly,” said the grandfather. “Even if we don’t always understand what we read in the Bible and even if we don’t remember everything, something happens to us. Our insides change and are, as it were, washed clean and become new.” 

We who are God’s children must ensure that we live ever closer to the will of God. Each of us has an assignment to become more and more like Jesus and to live more and more in His grace.  

18Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

How can we learn more about Jesus? Of course, we know that we get to know Him in the Word of God. When we read the stories about Him in the Gospels, we see how He lived within the will of God here on earth. 

I also do not understand everything I read in the Word of God. Sometimes there are aha moments and sometimes there are just question marks. But when I look back over the years of sitting with the Bible, I can see how the Holy Spirit worked in me. I still miss the target many times, but it happens less and less. 

Let’s use all our strength to shelter more and more in the shade of Jesus’ grace and goodness. Let’s fill the bag with water again and again, so that we live ever closer to Jesus. 

Scripture
2 Peter 3:17-18 

Reflection
How much time do you spend in God’s Word?
How much effort do you put into your relationship with God?
Where do you need to spend more time on your relationship with Jesus? 

Prayer
Jesus, I want to be like You more and more. Give me strength to learn more and more about You and to keep growing in our relationship. Amen.