Sometimes we just need to reflect. Take time to think about the deeper meaning. You know, peel the onion. We know an onion is an onion by its appearance, but we must always peel away the outer skin to get to the onion, to get to the rings of flesh. You know, break off the papery skin that protects the meat inside. Most times, the peeling process brings with it a few tears as well. To get to the good stuff, the outer barrier must be removed. The useable sweet stuff is well below the papery outer surface.
Our walk with Jesus is much like an onion. We may attend Church, hang out with His people, put some money in His plate, all the surface stuff that can be done (seen) without peeling back the layers, without getting to the meat. Why am I rambling on about onions, you ask? I’m not quite sure. Here’s my thought process…
I was studying on a few verses in 2 Timothy. When I read the Bible, I try to think about it as more than just words on a page. I try to think about the words and check myself against them. I try to apply, sometimes over-apply and end up in a rabbit hole (as I did with the onion). I try to think below the surface and actually to the sweet relationship with Jesus. So, when I read, I’m asking myself questions about The Word, trying to peel away the outer skin. Often, these questions bring tears, but I know of no other way to get to where I need to be with Jesus than to peel back the layers.
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
As I read this verse and studied on it, the do I’s or did I’s, come to mind. I end up with more questions then answers, sometimes. It’s a probing, a prickling. In the case of this verse, I started thinking about me being an athlete in a competition. When I ran track in high school (not well, I might add), there were certain rules to follow in the race. I ran the 1600 meter (1 mile — I know, why would anyone do that to themselves?). That’s four times around a football field. You might think you just get out there and run, but not so. You’re assigned a lane, that’s a rule. For the first full lap you must stay in your lane, that’s a rule. You must not impede other runners, interfere, trip them or knock them down, that’s a rule. You must complete all 1600 meters of the race, not three laps and you’re done (that’d be the only way I could win, maybe), that’s a rule. You must cross the finish line in order to complete the race, that’s a rule. There are many other technical rules to running a race, but those are the obvious ones.
In the context of running a race, here are some of the questions that I wrote down about this verse:
1. How did I run the race, how did I compete?
2. Did I false start, take off out of the blocks but was DQ’d?
3. Did I finish the race?
4. Did I follow the rules?
5. Did I give my all in the race or slip slap along, running some, walking some, resting some?
6. Did I train properly for the race, was I conditioned?
7. Did I talk to my coach, my trainer, to get the guidance, instruction needed for the race?
8. Did I follow the training guide, did I even read it?
9. Did I put forth my best effort or did I do just enough to slink over the finish line?
10. Did I cut the course and hop over the fence instead of running straight through the gate to the finish line?
12. Did I pull others along with me or were they left in my wake?
13. Did I encourage others throughout those grueling laps?
14. Did I offer to train with any of the other runners?
15. Did I share my training materials with them?
16. Did I introduce them to my coach, my trainer?
17. Did I make sure the other runners were hydrated with Living Water?
18. Did I point them to the protein, the nourishment that would give them the strength needed to begin the race and the endurance needed throughout the race to the finish?
19. Did I see to it that they had the proper footwear? Gospel shoes – a pair of Air Jesus’s?
All of these questions for just a 12 word verse. So many layers, so much to think about, so many questions to answer. But, this is how you build relationship with Jesus by getting below the skin and to the meat. Not just being content with the words on the page, but being willing to strip away the outer covering to get to the heart of the verses or to get the verses to your heart. By probing the scriptures and peeling back, our lives and the lives of others should be changed like Paul’s.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Make no mistake, it is me that needs the peeling not The Word. The Word has no covering, no skin, it is flesh, it is alive, it is not hidden. We need only spend time in The Word and on our knees in order to be changed by It. We need only to humble ourselves and peel back those things which would keep us from the meat.