Judah’s inspiration to pen this volume (and yes, I know it’s a long time since anyone actually penned anything), was the Lord’s instruction in Habakkuk 2:2 to “write the vision … that he may run who reads it”. He seems to have inverted that instruction a bit to write something for the feverish and frenetic runner of the 21stcentury so that the he who runs may be inclined to snatch a moment to read it.
While we are constantly exposed to many messages and nuggets, of sometimes confusing theology, the question of what is the core of the Christian life tends to get somewhat obfuscated. I had the privilege recently, of watching a video on line where the Rev. R C Sproul addresses the question of what the Core or the Big Idea of Christianity is. He says that out of the reformation movement came a phrase that Martin Luther often referred to as the essence of the Christian life;“Coram Deo or before the face of God”. The one Big Idea of the Christian life is to live all of life Coram Deo; in the awareness that whether you are in a business meeting or alone with your thoughts, you are in the presence of God. He concludes by expanding the Big Idea to “live all of life in the presence of God, under the authority of God and to the honour and glory of God”.
The daily readings are crafted to be read in less than a minute, including the hyper-texted Bible references unless, like me, your interest is piqued to read a little bit more. A minute isn’t too much to ask, even of the 21st century jet-setter, for a quick glimpse of a truth to encourage, instruct, introspect or smile about and remind us of our eternal purpose in the midst of our frenetic daily pursuits.
It is my prayer, that as you snatch the daily minute for these readings, you will be gently nudged to the awareness that all of your life is, whether you like it or not, Coram Deo.
Arul C Durairaj