Eugene Peterson may be one of the most gifted writers of our time. His paraphrase of the Bible, The Message, is one of my favorite reads when I need some inspiration. It’s the Bible, but translated with a fresh language that reminds me this Book of all Books is true literature.
Today I needed some encouragement…something to help me get through the day…something besides a Mountain Dew at lunch. (Seriously, I tried it and it really didn’t work.) Dan and I talked at lunch about how much we need to bring more discipline into our everyday lives. Part of that means learning to look to God for comfort instead of to sugar or fried goodness.
Nothing especially trying is going on in my life (except maybe Chemistry – could that be considered a trial?), but, still, it is just a day that needs SOMETHING. : )
So, I decided to try Dan’s idea and went straight to BibleGateway.com after lunch. I typed in “encouragement” and clicked the drop-down menu to put it in The Message version. Here it is, folks, in all its simple beauty:
Romans 15
3-6That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
Drink it up, friends! That is the washing of the Word!
Rare Rocks 
I knew I would love this post just by the title. I love the Message too. It’s good to read his version now and then, because some scriptures tend to get cliched and I forget how powerful they are (like the Love one in 1 Cor 13). I also need to revitalize this discipline. I don’t think of myself this way, but I have definitely been making sugar my soul-Dew lately. It hasn’t helped my soul, and makes me draggy and exhausted for hours. This Dew is way better. I’m going to read it again now.
Hi Felicity,
I hope you don’t mind me dropping in on your blog. Let me say this, you and Dan have always been an example of discipline and inspiration. I would dare say there are no two people who work harder. My food for thought today, although it’s not Mountain Dew, sugar or fried food…is to respond creatively to those cravings that we try to use food to satisfy. What I mean is, when you feel the craving, think of it as the creative in you craving/needing to be released. Go for it! I’m rooting for you! I look forward to seeing what lies in you, now, just waiting to be birthed.
Tracy, THAT is a great idea! And it makes perfect sense. I’m so glad you stopped by!
I love The Message!
Your post is a good reminder to ask God for what we need in very simple terms. You needed encouragement, and just asked! Voila!
Dream big, Felic. Dream big.
My pastor sends out emails of his sermons many times and it is always entitled “Food for the Soul.” He talks a lot about how the Bible is nourishment for our soul and we need to be fed often to be the strongest we can be. Let me just say that Mountain Dew for the soul makes even more sense to me. I gave up pop for my pregnancy and I have seriously had dreams that I was drinking a big glass of Mountain Dew with lots of ice in it and woke up so thirsty! I know it is not really a solution but sometimes I also think that maybe it could be!