Atlanta and the wrestling world were shocked this last weekend. World Wrestling Entertainment’s Chris Benoit, killed his wife and 7 year old son, and then took his own life. Chris was a favorite to the crowds…but sadly, evidently his wife and son came face to face with the fearsome strength that had led to the moniker “Canadian Crippler.†. Wife and son were reported as strangled by Benoit, and then he hung himself in the basement.
A truly bizarre finding was a Bible by each of the bodies, intentionally placed there. Obviously, the family had “the Good Book†in the house. But, I have been reminded by this senseless tragedy that while it is so easy to be “around the word of God,†it doesn’t necessarily penetrate our lives –getting to know the God of the Word so that He might change our behavior.
The day in which we live makes it easy to use religious items like the Bible, crosses, and crucifixes more as good luck charms in our lives than of symbols of transformed lives Somehow people can feel that “having them around†is all that is needed. But having God’s Word around, but not within, doesn’t work. Hebrews 4:12 tells us “the Word of God is more powerful that a two-edged sword—able to discern the thoughts and intents of the hear.†Perhaps if Benoit had allowed God’s Word to truly penetrate his heart things would have been very different. How many tragedies of all kinds have occurred with a Bible in the house, but not in the heart?
What a reminder to be sure we never settle for being around the Bible…or for that matter, even in the Bible…but stopping short of getting the Bible into us. That is where it makes a difference!
Don’t forget to pray for the extended family of the Benoit family!