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The passage that has become the motto for my life is John 1.1

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

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‘The passage that has become the motto for my life is John 1.1–5. It says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.’

‘It struck me from a very young age. How could words be around before humankind was around? What did that mean? I’ve been with that passage for my whole life really. 

‘It draws me deeper and deeper into ministry. It took me to be a linguistic lecturer and then it kept me journeying and coming to chaplaincy. 

‘I had always been passionate about the English language and words but it came with spirituality, conviction and vocation. I stuck with the English language and did natural sciences and linguistics, then my masters and then went to Wycliffe College: all this because ‘the Word’ is powerful!

‘At Christmas, when I hear it, I am aware that I am in a thin place and that it is an encounter with God. I get excited in the run-up to Advent because I get goosebumps when I hear this read. I’m never bored by hearing it. My mind always goes somewhere different with this passage. I have heard it a lot, but every year there is something new and it is always something that connects with where I am now.’

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