“…seek, and you will find…” (Matthew 7b NASB)
Gloria looked at for a black skirt at more than one of the stores that usually are stocked with various dresses and skirts. Many of the stores seemed to have stopped selling those items. If you wanted exercise or workout pants, the racks are full of selections in all colors and with creative designs. But trying to find just a black skirt was like trying to find gold or stumbling on a rare picture worth thousands of dollars at a thrift shop. If you wanted a tee-shirt with a message on it, your choices are multiple. But if you are trying to find a little black skirt, don’t get your hopes up too high.
Being curious I searched for an explanation online. One retailer explained that they were selling more tops than bottoms at the present time. That’s understandable with people working from home more than before the virus started, the various social justice movements, and the Friday casual day being expanded to casual attire being permitted and acceptable every day of the work week. Even on Sunday in the sanctuary, the demand for dresses and even dress pants has declined for the time being.
The black skirt was not the only thing missing at some stores. Retailers that once carried Bibles in various translations have repurposed the use of their shelves, stocking them with books appealing to children and of course, tell all books about political candidates. Personally, I even went to a big bookstore trying to find what I think is the best word-for-word translation of the Bible and they only had one. The print was so small that it must have been for the buyer that only wants to look religious, carrying their Bible into the place of worship. There were more Bibles with TV evangelists’ names on them, suggesting that their copy was “the best” since it was part of their brand or business franchise. Like Gloria wanted a black skirt, I just wanted a black Bible with large print.
I did not look for an explanation online, but I did look at ordering online. I’ve done that before, but without the ability to do a hand-on, careful examination, what I ordered was not exactly what I thought I was purchasing. Well, what do we do? I’m not talking about the black dress, but what do we do when it comes to our desire to purchase a Bible. While you can get various translations online, load it on your cell phone and quickly look up a passage, I recommend for now, use your old study Bible. Work through the pages! Look at the order. No what comes before and after Zephaniah. Depend on the reference verses on the side or in the middle of each page as you study. Take advantage of sections that explain the harmonies of the gospels, the Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament, the doctrines of the church, a list of the miracles of Jesus, a topical index of Scripture and much more. You just might find you already have what you wanted sitting on your shelf. Oh it may not be new and shiny, but you will find it continuously glowing and providing you with a light that illuminates life. Go look at your old Bible today and see if I’m not right. Be blessed!
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King