Scouting the Divine

1. God's Word is a Multisensory Experience

Scripture is sweetness and sweat, bitterness and blood, tremors and tears. Scripture is life — and we are called to live it.

Beyond the Page. The Bible isn't just a collection of words; it's a portal to a living, breathing world. It's meant to be experienced with all our senses, not just our minds. The stories of the Bible are filled with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of everyday life, inviting us to engage with them on a deeper level.

Engaging the Senses:

• Taste: The sweetness of honey, the bitterness of herbs, the richness of wine.
• Smell: The fragrance of a field, the aroma of freshly baked bread, the pungent odor of manure.
• Touch: The softness of wool, the roughness of a staff, the coolness of water.
• Sight: The vastness of a field, the intricate details of a honeycomb, the vibrant colors of a vineyard.
• Sound: The bleating of sheep, the rustling of leaves, the buzzing of bees.

Living the Story. By engaging our senses, we move beyond simply reading the Bible to entering the stories and experiencing them as if we were there. This allows us to connect with the characters, understand their struggles, and grasp the deeper truths of God's love and grace.

2. Shepherding Reveals God's Tender Care

Sheep are not dumb; they’re defenseless. There’s a big difference.

Defenseless Creatures. Sheep are not intelligent, but they are vulnerable and dependent on their shepherd for survival. They need protection from predators, guidance to find food and water, and care when they are sick or injured. This vulnerability mirrors our own dependence on God.

The Good Shepherd:

• Knows His Sheep: Just as a shepherd knows each of his sheep by name, God knows us intimately and cares for us individually.
• Leads His Sheep: A shepherd leads his sheep to safe pastures, and God guides us on the path of righteousness.
• Protects His Sheep: A shepherd defends his sheep from danger, and God protects us from harm.
• Lays Down His Life: The Good Shepherd is willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his sheep, just as Jesus laid down his life for us.

A Shepherd's Heart. By understanding the role of a shepherd, we gain a deeper appreciation for God's tender care and unwavering love for us. We are not just a flock; we are individuals known and cherished by our Shepherd.

3. Harvest Teaches Generosity and Dependence

I think that in the action of giving over the first, you’re saying to God that he is first in your life.

Seasons of Life. The agricultural cycle of planting, growing, and harvesting mirrors the seasons of our lives. There are times of sowing, times of waiting, and times of reaping. Each season teaches us valuable lessons about God's faithfulness and our dependence on Him.

First Fruits:

• Giving Our Best: Just as farmers offer the first fruits of their harvest to God, we are called to give our best to Him in all areas of our lives.
• Trusting God's Provision: By giving our first fruits, we acknowledge that God is the source of all our blessings and that we trust Him to provide for our needs.
• Sharing with Others: The practice of gleaning reminds us to share our abundance with those in need, reflecting God's generosity and compassion.

Dependence on God. The harvest reminds us that we are not self-sufficient. We depend on God for the sun, the rain, and the fertile soil that produces our food. This dependence should lead us to humility and gratitude.

4. Bees Show God's Intricate Design

These are some of the most incredible creatures you’ll ever encounter!

A Miniature World. The beehive is a marvel of intricate design and organization. Each bee has a specific role to play, and the entire colony works together in perfect harmony to produce honey and sustain life. This reflects the beauty and complexity of God's creation.

The Wisdom of the Hive:

• Community: Bees work together for the common good, demonstrating the importance of unity and cooperation.
• Purpose: Each bee has a specific role to play, reminding us that we all have unique gifts and talents to contribute.
• Provision: Bees diligently gather nectar and pollen, providing sustenance for the hive and pollinating the world around them.
• Order: The hive is a model of efficiency and organization, reflecting God's wisdom and order.

God's Handiwork. By studying the intricate details of the beehive, we gain a deeper appreciation for God's creative power and his attention to even the smallest of details.

5. Vines Illustrate Abiding and Fruitfulness

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

The True Vine. Jesus uses the image of a vine to describe our relationship with Him. He is the source of life, and we are the branches. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, we cannot live a fruitful life apart from Christ.

Abiding in Christ:

• Dependence: Abiding in Christ means relying on Him for our spiritual nourishment and growth.
• Connection: It means staying connected to Him through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with other believers.
• Fruitfulness: When we abide in Christ, we will naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Pruning for Growth. Just as a vinedresser prunes the vine to produce more fruit, God prunes us to remove the things that hinder our spiritual growth. This pruning can be painful, but it is necessary for us to become more like Christ.

6. The Journey Matters More Than the Destination

Making wine is like making a reduction sauce. If you walk away to answer the phone, you could lose the whole thing if the fermentation process goes too far.

Process over Outcome. The journey of faith is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the process of growth and transformation along the way. Like a vintner who carefully tends his vines, God is intimately involved in every step of our journey.

The Value of the Process:

• Patience: The process of winemaking takes time and patience, reminding us that spiritual growth is a gradual process.
• Attention to Detail: Just as a vintner pays attention to every detail of the winemaking process, God is attentive to every detail of our lives.
• Learning and Growth: The challenges and setbacks we face along the way are opportunities for learning and growth.

Embracing the Journey. By focusing on the process rather than just the outcome, we can find joy and meaning in every step of our journey with God.

7. Faith is a Process of Constant Discovery

When Scripture comes alive in our hearts, it doesn’t inform us as much as transform us.

Beyond Information. Faith is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about experiencing a transformation of the heart and mind. As we engage with God's Word, we are not just learning facts; we are encountering the living God.

The Power of Encounter:

• Transformation: When we encounter God, we are changed from the inside out.
• Imagination: Faith ignites our imagination and allows us to see the world through God's eyes.
• Hope: Faith rekindles our hope and gives us a vision for a better future.
• Wonder: Faith awakens a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty and mystery of God's creation.

A Lifelong Journey. Faith is not a destination; it's a lifelong journey of discovery. As we continue to seek God, we will continue to grow in our understanding of Him and His love for us.

8. God's Love is Revealed in the Ordinary

Born in a stable, Jesus entered the straw and mud-poo of our world for one reason: Love.

Everyday Encounters. God's love is not just found in grand gestures or miraculous events; it's also revealed in the ordinary moments of our lives. By paying attention to the details of our everyday experiences, we can discover God's presence and love all around us.

Finding God in the Mundane:

• Nature: The beauty of a sunset, the intricacy of a flower, the vastness of the ocean.
• Relationships: The love of family and friends, the kindness of strangers, the support of a community.
• Work: The satisfaction of a job well done, the creativity of a craft, the purpose of serving others.
• Food: The taste of a home-cooked meal, the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones, the nourishment of simple ingredients.

Love in Action. God's love is not just a feeling; it's an action. It's the love that led Jesus to enter our world, to live among us, and to die for us. It's the love that calls us to serve others and to make a difference in the world.

Last updated: January 19, 2025