Ever since I first learned how, I have loved to read. My room is filled with books – biographies, theological works, ethics textbooks – ear-marked, tear-stained copies of my favorite literature. Emma flips open to Mr. Knightley’s proposal of its own accord -Jane Eyre does the same for Mr. Rochester’s first declaration -I am in desperate need of a new copy of Wuthering Heights. Just this morning, I was scouring the internet for the source of two lines of Keats that have been singing in my head for two weeks -when I found it, I read it no less than five times, cherishing every lyrical phrase.

I love words. I love the power that they have to communicate ideas. In fact, one of the reasons I love to write is because I grew up appreciating the words of others -from William Shakespeare to John Steinbeck to Harper Lee to hundreds of other authors in between. The other day, though, I ran across a Bible verse that reminded me of the most important words for a woman of virtue to cherish:

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” ~Jeremiah 15:16

What sweet words to mediate on! Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. To read God’s Word, to cherish his commandments (1 John 5:4), to impart them to others through word (1 Peter 3:15) and deed (Philippians 1:27-28), to apply them to our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17) should be the height of our joy, the peak of delight.

I’m reminded today – even in the midst of my love for a good poem or a fantastic work of literature – that no words can compare to the power, beauty, and truth encompassed in God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12). Oh, that the pages of my Bible should be tear-stained, highlighted, ear-marked, and cherished far more than any other book I own. And may I only cherish those other works to the degree that they glorify my King. May the same be said for my sisters in Christ – may we delight in the words of the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, who died as a ransom for our sins (John 1:1-5), and may our words reflect our understanding of his truths (Proverbs 31:26).