More Than Literal

Someone asked me, 
"Do you believe in a literal translation of the bible"?

I felt challenged. 
like I should give the right answer. 
My flummangled response was kind of a 
"yes-no hmmm..." 
But I've been thinking about it.

Let's just look at chapters two and three of The Revelation... 
Jesus dictates letters to seven churches. 
Literally. 
Real churches. 
From way back then. 
Churches that may not even be there anymore. 
but if they are, 
I will probably never visit them.

Yes. 
I believe in a literal interpretation of that. 
It puts information in my mind 
like a little history lesson from Jesus. 
 
Yes, I believe those churches really existed. 
and its interesting to know what Jesus praises them for. 
and encouraging to realize that even in the early days 
they had problems. 
Interesting to hear the warning and the promise. 
 
Way Interesting. 
But that interpretation doesn't touch my heart.

I literally believe those churches existed. 
I believe they actually received those letters, 
and needed to hear them. 
literally. 
 
But couldn't He ALSO 
have meant MORE than the literal interpretation? 
Maybe there is something WE need to hear about that? 
Isn't there a "More Than Literal" interpretation? 
 
Maybe 
that the future of the church would be  
a long parade of following and falling away? 
Maybe 
that we are to be watchful  
for the same traits appearing in our church? 
Maybe 
that our very lives as members of the body 
will be touched by these traits? 
Maybe 
that as some parts of the church 
start to wither, 
others start to flourish? 
Maybe 
that the church as a whole  
will go through all seven periods before the end arrives? 
Maybe 
that ANY church now or a thousand years from now 
will tend towards one of the seven examples? 
Maybe 
that there are 137 more interpretations 
that I haven't realized yet?

Those interpretations personally affect me. 
The literal one didn't.  

When I read the bible  
LITERALLY 
it feeds my mind with facts. 
I learn from it. 
 
When I read the bible  
MORE THAN LITERALLY 
it puts the lessons in my own lap. 
It changes my heart, 
It causes actions and reactions. 
It gives purpose 
I grow from it.

So the next time someone asks me 
"Do you believe in a literal interpretation of the bible?" 
??? 
I can only reply,  
"I don't think we should limit God that way"
. 
 
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