The Star Trek Next Generation episode entitled "Darmok" changed my life. I think of it often. In this episode Captain Picard must learn to communicate with a race that speaks in metaphor under a difficult set of circumstances.
"Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" is repeated many times in this episode by the Tamarian captain, Dathon. Picard is eventually able to decipher the line to discover that it was a story of two warriors marooned on an island (Tanagra) who work together to defeat a common foe.
I realized that I do this but with Bible stories. Almost every occurrence in my life gets told by attaching a Bible story to it.
When I moved us to Nashville because it looked like I could thrive as a single mother there, my Bible story was Genesis 12:1.
"Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, From your family..., To a land that I will show you." One version states - "to a land he knew not". I'd done my research - salaries looked similar, house prices did also. Beyond that - Nashville was an unknown. But we packed up and headed there. I met some wonderful people in Nashville and most of all I met my Bill there.
When talking about growing and getting ready for the challenges I faced by saying "David, when he fought the lion and the bear!" (1st Samuel 17:36) They nod with yes, I understand.
Or when asked how I'm doing and I say "Having done all to stand - I stand therefore." (Ephesians 6:13). They nod with yes, I understand.
I'm so thankful that my Bible is full of stories that I can apply to my life today and for friends that nod with "Yes, I understand".
So I leave you with this - "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" - David, when he fought the Lion and the Bear, Abraham, when he went to a "land he knew not"...there's a Bible story to fit every part of our life and it brings comfort, strength, direction - whatever we need for the moment we're in.
Thanks for visiting ~ Reia
