Reading Scripture

Reading Scripture is always a good thing. It is especially good when I get to the read the Old and New Testament readings during the worship service! Can I tell you how much I love doing this? It's like asking a fish to swim laps. A pigeon to deliver a note. A ferret to ferret. A rainbow to curve.

The answer: It's beautiful, mysterious, natural, and perfect. Oddly enough, it's a chance to get to use my seminary education. Any reading is an act of interpretation. I study some commentaries to make sure I get the emphasis correctly. I practice because it improves my reading and intonation. I really think God can use his Scripture to speak into a person's life sans sermon. I don't want to hinder the power of the Word and the Spirit.

Plus, let's face it: I'm a nerd. It's a really good devotion, and I'm prepared to hear the sermon. It's really nice to read out loud. I forget this because I'm always in a hurry.

This reading business has been a really pleasant gift of high church. I've always bemoaned the fact I have no gifts that can be used in worship. One time I joked with a friend, "Maybe I can run laps for the offertory." But, this is a really odd junction of my unique self fitting into the body of Christ. It's quite nice really. Can you tell I'm reading Romans 12:1-8 and Psalm 138 tomorrow? But not in that order.

I've gotten a lot of compliments and thank yous for my reading and voice. Who knew? My favorite compliment went like this, "You understand the concept of the comma." So, it's ever so nice and ever so rare for the x (my enjoyment) and y (usefulness) axis to converge on me like this.