The Maria Challenge
" For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." – Hebrews 4:12
Back in 2008, I signed up for the faith-based dorm on the George Beto unit. As a condition of enrollment, we each pledged to read the Bible daily, using a predetermined Bible in a year schedule. That was the first time I had read the Bible all the way through, and it became a routine that I have continued. Since then, by reading the Bible faithfully each morning, I have completed reading the entire Bible at least 17 times. My Bible is falling apart, the pages are browning with age, and almost every page is highlighted or underlined. However, as good as my knowledge is of the Bible, God still speaks to me through verses that I never recall seeing before. God's Word is not limited or confined to the words on a page. He is infinitely powerful and is ready both in season and out of season.
Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is living and active. Every time that God answers my questions through a previously unknown verse, I am awestruck. God's Word never becomes outdated and is always ready to meet my needs. It appears to generate wisdom at the perfect time for every season of life. He simply waited for me to take the time to listen.
Recently, I was watching "The Edge," a Christian podcast. On the episode they mentioned a woman they nicknamed Maria. She is incarcerated in Alabama, yet she did not allow her situation to limit her ability to spread the gospel. Maria began prayerfully selecting and writing out Scriptures that she carried with her. She then asked anyone who was willing to pick out a random Scripture from the bag. Through these simple handwritten Scripture slips, God spoke.
While inmates and officers alike were focused on the struggles of daily life, the Scripture slips reminded them of God's love and wisdom. Each person testified about the timeliness and applicability of the Word they received. Instead of being focused on their problems, their focus was redirected to the answer. Each day, they sought the Scripture slips from Maria that brought forth the voice of God.
When Maria's testimony became known to The Edge, the Maria Challenge was born. They issued a challenge to anyone that was willing to share the Scripture and experience the Spirit of God at work. I accepted the challenge, selected and wrote out the Scriptures, prayed for God to deliver them according to His will, and then passed them out to anyone willing to receive them. I was amazed at the result.
Everyone who received the slips noted that they were applicable to their current situation. Half of the recipients laughed out loud as they heard God's voice. One person had been struggling with anger, and he received Ephesians 4:31. He knew it was God's gentle reminder that He was with him in the fight. Another struggled with taming the tongue and received Ephesians 4:29. Each person was encouraged, and hearing God's voice strengthened their faith.
Too often, life gets in the way of hearing God's voice. God used a donkey to reach Balaam (Numbers 22:28), a burning bush to reach Moses (Exodus 3:2), and He even uses pressed tree pulp to reach us. His Word is living, active, and ready to meet our every need. All it needs is a willing vessel.
I offer you to accept the Maria challenge. Prayerfully select Scriptures, write them down or print them if you have a computer available. Ask God to direct them to each person who needs a word from Him and then pass them out as the Spirit leads. Then watch God work and testify.
God has blessed me through this challenge. Being a vessel through which God works is amazing. His Word is ready to help in every situation. All we must do is be ready to listen and willing to share His Word. Are you willing to take up the challenge?
