Expect the “take-away factor” when reading and ruminating . . .

Expectations are only met, if you have them in advance. Reading and expectations naturally belong together. Expect to see, hear, and frame thoughts and understandings as you read. 

For example, this morning I read and ruminated on Psalm 77  . . .

13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

 16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Reading, reflecting and ruminating in my reading, I read the passage thinking about it in a “bunch of ways”—the majority simultaneously  . . .

• historically,
• linguistically,
• analytically,
• topically,
• synthetically (to bring ideas into a some kind of integrated whole), and
• experientially . . .

Then I spoke to myself, “too much thinking JD!!” and asked a question—"so what’s the Psalm saying about God, and to me?”

Simply, what’s its take-away feature? . . . Forget all the “lly’s” . . . what’s the trust God and keep going factor?

I reminded myself, “Because scripture is profound, it’s also simple”—when reading I expect to see, hear, and frame thoughts and understandings in the reading journey . . . stuff to take into my day . . . 

Today’s take-away factor . . .

“While God knows the way, I must make the journey”

Now, on with my day—chewing on my “take-away” . . .