ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

 

IN THE BEGINNING

 

The Bulwar-Lytton prize (named for the author of the opening line, "It was a dark and stormy night...") is awarded every year to some of the worst possible opening lines of a book. Here are some samples of past winners:

"Just beyond the Narrows the river widens."

"With a curvaceous figure that Venus would have envied, a tanned, unblemished oval face framed with lustrous thick brown hair, deep azure-blue eyes fringed with long black lashes, perfect teeth that vied for competition, and a small straight nose, Marilee had a beauty that defied description."

"Detective Kodiak plucked a single hair from the bearskin rug and at once understood the grisly nature of the crime: it had been a ferocious act, a real honey, the sort of thing that could polarize a community, so he padded quietly out the back to avoid a cub reporter waiting in the den." (you'll want to read this one again.....slowly and carefully!)

"Stanley looked quite bored and somewhat detached, but then penguins often do."

"Wearily approaching the murder scene of Jeannie and Quentin Rose and needing to determine if this was the handiwork of the Scented Strangler—who had a twisted affinity for spraying his victims with his signature raspberry cologne—or that of a copycat, burnt-out insomniac detective Sonny Kirkland was sure of one thing: he’d have to stop and smell the Roses."

The beginning of a book is of utmost importance. The first few words may well determine whether or not you bother to read any further. It's interesting to note how each of the gospel writers chose to start their books.

Matthew began with a genealogy: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac........" (1:1). This may not be of great interest to some of you, but it would have captured the attention of Matthew's Jewish readers.

Mark began with action, so as to capture the attention of his Roman readers. "John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (1:4)

 

Luke, the historian, began by describing his motives for writing. "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus." (1:3)

 

Then there's John, who begins the story of Jesus where it logically should start -- at the beginning! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." (1:1-3)

Four very different styles of writing. May the beginning of these books lead you to read further, to explore the life of the Son of God -- his teachings, his miracles, his call to discipleship and most importantly his death and resurrection. Have you read the gospels lately?

Have a great day!…..Alan Smith, Helen Street Church of Christ, Fayetteville, North Carolina by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net