Why would I read the Bible when I go to Church every week? I read inspirational verses on my Instagram feed, so I’m getting my daily dose, right? I am a good person and consider myself a believer, but I just don’t have time to read the Bible everyday, plus I don’t find it that interesting.
We always hear read your bible and pray everyday. But why? In an age where no one seems to read anymore, how can we make reading our Bibles as necessary as eating, or that cup of coffee, or checking that feed?
I believe it goes deeper than simply picking out key verses and memorizing them. Don’t get me wrong that is great, but it seems that is like snacking compared to having the full feast.
There should be more intention than randomly flipping open our Bibles and reading whatever page it opens to and hoping God speaks to us.
When I was in Junior High, my cousin challenged me to read one chapter in the Bible a day. This was something she had started doing just a couple months prior, so it was great to join her and walk through it together. So for the first time I began to read my Bible, chapter by chapter, understanding the full narrative. Something that isn’t possible to grasp when I would just read a couple verses here and there.
This sparked curiosity in me. As I continued to read, I wanted to know more and had more questions.
What? More questions? I thought reading your Bible was suppose to answer your questions? Yes and no. Yes, because God does reveal Himself to us in His Word and direct our steps, but God is also a God of mystery. We don’t know, and probably won’t know, everything about Him and His ways. He is too great to comprehend. But by His grace we are able to get a glimpse of His character and love for us through the Bible.
This small step to read one chapter a day started this journey of falling more and more in love with discovering who God is through his Word.
To think that He orchestrated the creation of this book, over hundreds of years, in multiple languages and countries, all so that His people could get a glimpse of His character, to get a glimpse at the overwhelming love He has for all of humanity, leaves one in awe. Its pretty insane!
And this mindset, even before digging into scripture, is powerful. Reading the Bible then becomes not a “have to” but a “get to”. Its an amazing privilege that we humans, who feel so insignificant and worthless at times, get to read the very Words of the living all powerful God.
Like friends, for most of history only the Pope or Priest could read the Words of God, only those with doctorates and who understood theology. And I don’t know about you, but I am none of those things, yet by His grace I am able to own a Bible and read it. Like come on! How amazing is that?! God wants to speak to you and me at a personal level.
Over the years, I have become more hungry for His Word. This is what happens when we begin to read His Word, we get hungry for it! We want more of it because its just that good.
The Bible was once illustrated to me as a treasure chest, where the more you read it and dig into it, the more treasure you will uncover. It never ends. We can never tire of God’s Word. No matter how many times you read it, each time there is new meaning and new layers uncovered.
And the cool part is, it always satisfies us. His word never returns void.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11
So how do we do this? Where do we begin? And why even bother?
Scripture, like many other parts in the Bible can be confusing to understand and apply to one’s life. It is easy to read past this and think nothing of it, believing it was only applicable to the recipients of the prophecy, letter, song etc.. However, the Bible is still alive and active to this day. The Words hold so much more power than I think we realize.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
But in order find the treasure hidden in God’s word we must be prepared to dig it up. This means asking certain questions about the author and the context which allows greater depth of understanding and treasure to be found.
who is the author?
who is the audience?
what was the purpose of this book?
what was the cultural context?
Find trusted resources or mentors that can help you answer these questions. Or bring your questions to Jesus. But don’t let the fear of not knowing where to begin or not feeling educated enough to read the Bible stop you.
God wants to meet you right where you are at through his Word.
Lets be real. It's hard to read the Bible. Don’t think that I always love to read it. But I do always feel much better after I read it, cause His Word always satisfies.
Think of it like a work out. You never wanna do it, but you feel so good afterwards.
So start small, like I did, one chapter a day. God does not care how much you read he just wants to spend time with you in His Word. It doesn’t matter how long it has been. Remember there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Ask your questions. Journal all your thoughts. What stood out to you while reading the piece of scripture? What did not make sense? What challenged you?
Find a friend to text or call or meet up in person that you can discuss some of the things you are learning about and have questions on. We were not meant to do this alone, so find someone you can discover the Bible together with.
And lastly reflect on how can you apply what you are reading into your life? Let His Words change your actions and thoughts.
Check out these additional resources that I have found helpful when I am struggling to open my Bible.
Yorumlar