"A Voice Said - 'Take Up and Read'" - by Rev. Weldon Bares

Augustine of Hippo was born in North Africa on November 13, 354 AD. His father was not a Christian, but he had a devout mother, Monica.

He spent his youth as a restless and wayward young man, often lost in drunkenness and immorality. Yet through it all, his mother kept praying for him. She never gave up on him.

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In Confessions (Book VIII), Augustine shared how his heart was in turmoil. He was caught in the grip of sin, longing for God, yet still hesitating to fully surrender his life to Christ. While in a garden, overwhelmed with emotion, he heard the voice of a child, perhaps from a neighboring house, chanting: “Tolle lege, tolle lege” (Latin for “Take up and read, take up and read”).

Augustine took this as a divine command. He picked up a copy of the Bible that was nearby. He opened it at random, and his eyes fell on Romans chapter 13. Verse 14 really got his attention.

Here is the verse: “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

He later said that the darkness of doubt fled away. Augustine went on to become one of the greatest thinkers and writers in church history.

I am always amazed at how Holy Scripture can shine like a ray of light into the darkness of our souls, guiding and illuminating our path ahead.

David affirmed, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

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