What’s your favorite?

Do you like icebreakers? You know, those out-of-the-blue quizzes and questions that help people get to know each other? I recently attended a gathering of women, most of whom I had never met, anticipating that we would be asked to participate in an icebreaker. I arrived early, excited to begin in a new role as a Mentor Mom for Mothers of Preschoolers. Some moms were assembling folders at a table where I spotted this sheet of paper.

Despite the fact that I write about myself every week, seeing blank spaces accompany the word FAVORITE causes my mind to go blank and my heart to race a bit. I’m not good at picking favorites. More accurately, my favorites change frequently. And somehow I think that I might give the wrong answer and should really think about my choice. Favorite color? Well, do you mean color of clothing or house or yarn? Favorite TV show? Right now, or ever?

OK, it’s really not THAT hard to come up with answers, at least not in this context. But what about when I’m setting up a new on-line account and need to choose a security question? It’s in my best interest to choose a fact based question rather than a personal favorite. My favorite candy might change, but my mother’s maiden name never will.

As it turned out, only the younger moms were asked to fill out their About ME sheets and give them to the table leader, and I didn’t need to sweat it after all. As I look at my still blank sheet, I notice the last blank space is for FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE. Again, my weekly writing usually contains beloved words from the Bible, but which one of the 31,102 verses do I love the most?

The question has resurfaced. Tomorrow, I may have an opportunity to tour our church’s Ickes Family Life Center, a much anticipated building, still under construction, containing a gymnasium and classrooms. Everyone who comes to church this Sunday is invited to walk in, take a piece of chalk, and write their FAVORITE Bible verse on an unfinished wall.

East Richland Friends Church’s Ickes Family Life Center

What a beautiful way to consecrate our building for God’s purposes! There are some well-loved scriptures that many people have settled on as favorites. I know Christians who are practically known by their favorite Bible passages. A sweet lady who loved Psalm 91 and has now entered the dwelling place of the Most High. Another woman who is reminded by Psalm 46:10 to “Be still, and know that I am God.” One gentleman in our congregation stands on Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Our pastor would surely name a verse often quoted during sermons,

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Other favorites would be Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” and Ephesians 3:20-21, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Many people throughout the centuries have treasured Psalm 23, or possibly the Lord’s Prayer from the gospels. Since hiding the book of James in my heart a couple of years ago, I perk up to hear any of the words from that letter to early Christians. James begins with a well-know, if not well-loved, passage about the work of perseverance,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

While I’m in the midst of a difficulty, reminding myself of the outcome of hanging in there with faith is vital. In that same sense, I love the words that God whispered to Paul when he was longing to be rid of a physical problem,  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

I could, and maybe should, spend a whole day remembering the truth, promises, and instruction of God’s Word.

Surely someone will scrawl what is called “the gospel in a nutshell.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

A few years back, we had the opportunity to purchase an inscribed brick to be incorporated into the sidewalk leading up to our church’s new education and fellowship wing. I chose words from a prayer Jesus lifted to his Father on behalf of his disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:16 What a beautiful prayer for all students, families and friends who will enter the Ickes Family Life Center.