An open letter from your Bible

Dear friend,

I wanted to let you know that I am here.  You can usually find me sitting on your shelf or underneath your coffee table.  Perhaps I am on that ledge right when you get in the door.  I appreciate that you pick me up and take me to church with you but think I might be more useful to you if you would use me a little more frequently.  In fact, if you would open me up and read my pages I think that you might find a few things.  I define you. I explain the world around you.  I tell you how to have real joy, real peace, even the kind that passes understanding.  I will make you more like Jesus the more you choose to live as I describe and trust that God will make me alive to you.  I am living, active, sharper than a two-edged sword and I can tell you what is really going on inside - in the part that no one else can see and you think you are so good at hiding.  I am your offensive weapon when fighting against sin and Satan. 

The interesting thing is that I don't really do these things by osmosis.  It is not enough to simply have a few copies of me lying around, I need to be read to be useful.  I need to be studied for the fullest benefit to occur.  You can imagine my frustration when I see you sad and I can bring the keys to joy.  It is hard for me to see you flounder and not know what to do when I can tell you how to walk the straight and narrow.  It is difficult to see you struggle when my words give freedom from sin and death.  I am so much more than a guidebook, more than a help when needed, my pages are life.  I am a living Word of God.  Please allow me to do you a service when you pick me off of the shelf and read me.

Sincerely,

Your Bible