To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NIV translation of the Bible, Zondervan is creating “America’s NIV.” They’re traveling by RV to cities across the country. In each city people are invited to come and transcribe a verse to be included.
That sounds very noble and inspiring so the editorial department of DaySpring decided that we would go and be a part of this movement. So we took off, had lunch at PF Chang’s to make sure our energy was up, and pulled into the parking lot so we could make history. The first thing we saw was this RV…
I thought we would get to go on the RV to sign but apparently that’s top secret territory so we had to go in a plain ol’ building instead. Once inside we were told, “We’re working on three books today. You can get in line for 2 Kings, Luke, or Matthew.” The girls all chose the Luke line and then we each got a verse to write.
During this time I was having a little daydream about being handed a verse like Jeremiah 29:11. I would inscribe it for all time. Mark and I would make it our family verse. We would frame it on the wall. Generations from now the story would be told.
Then I looked at my paper and this was my verse…
“But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than it will be for you.” Luke 10:14
All my fantasies went up in smoke, the fire and brimstone kind. I showed it to my boss and he laughed. I showed it to my coworker and she asked, “Wow, what did you do?” So I sighed, picked up my pen, and did my duty as you can see here…
I was a little comforted that all but one of us got a verse that was a little bit, well, odd. I felt a bit bad for wishing for a different verse. After all, they’re equally important. But some just work a little better on their own than others.
Overall, it was a grand adventure and I’d recommend that all of you check out the Bible Across America site and find out when you can be a part of it too. You never know, they might be doing the book of Leviticus when they come to your town.
From Left to Right: Ann, Me, Linn, Susan, Matt, and Trieste (behind the camera)
