Just kidding, I didn’t really rewrite the Bible. Sorta, but not really.
I was reading a little bit of Psalm 119 today, and when I went to write it in my journal I found myself paraphrasing and making the words more specific to my situation. I really hope David doesn’t mind that I change his writing, because I realize I do this ALL THE TIME.
I just really appreciate how David and the other Psalm writers express their feelings, but I don’t often find myself able to relate to hiding in caves running from someone trying to kill me. More often I’m running from things like fear, comparison, lust, and things like that. Same feelings, different situations – so i just change the words a little. I don’t think they mind.
All that to say, here’s a World Race version of Psalm 119: 25-48
The dust clings to every piece of me
give me life to keep moving on
When I told you our living situation, you said I could handle it:
teach me how!
My soul melts away from the constant heat
strengthen me to live without A/C
Put my false self out away from me
and graciously teach me my identity in Christ
I have chosen to be on the World Race
I chose to follow the their rules
because I heard they were from you, O Lord.
They are not here to hold me back
So I will follow leadership
So you can enlarge my heart.
Teach me, O Lord, what the Bible even means
and I will study it through the end.
Give me understanding why there’s so much pain
I’ve observed it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path to continue loving anyway
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to tell your stories
and not about myself
Turn my eye from social media
and give me confidence in you.
Reassure me that I’m here for a reason:
so others can know you too.
Turn away the reverse culture shock that I dread
because traveling like this is worth it.
Behold, I long to know you more
only your righteousness makes me come alive!
Let me experience your steadfast love, O Lord.
You saved me just like you promised.
Now I don’t have to believe lies about myself anymore
For your word is true about who I am
Don’t let your truth slip away from me
for my hope is in your promise.
I will follow you continually
forever and ever
And I will walk on streets all over the globe
because you called and I listened.
I will tell my story in front of large churches where I don’t even speak the language and will probably make mistakes
and I won’t feel any shame
because I find delight in obedience,
I love that.
So, I’ll praise you because you know what’s best for me
and I’ll keep following you.
