This weekend I was finally able to put into words something I have been feeling for a long time, I want to fall in the love with the Bible. I want to long for it, I want it to be the thing I do in those moments when there is down time. I want it to be such a passionate love that studying God’s Word is the first thing I do in the morning and if I miss it, I want to need it so much that I can’t go to sleep without getting it done.
Seem simple? It hasn’t been for me. I’ve read the entire Bible, twice actually. The first time was about 4 years ago, I signed up through Mom’s Toolbox to read the entire Bible, cover-to-cover, in only 90 days. Seem impossible? I finished in 89 days and that was after falling behind for several days (Don’t fall behind! ITS BRUTAL TO CATCH UP!) I also did this at a time when my children were very young, I think about 2 and 4 years old. It took me about an hour a day, most of which occurred in 5-minute batches throughout the day and then finishing up whatever was left at bedtime. It was an amazing experience and I recommend it. But it is not studying the Bible. It is not learning, knowing and understanding the Word. It is not being in love with the Bible.
The second time I read the whole Bible was as part of a sermon series at church. Everyone was encouraged to read a chapter a week in the version of the Bible called The Story by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee (find on Amazon). Its beautiful and easy to read, but somehow I got to the end I didn’t feel like I really read the REAL Bible.
The funny thing is, it seems like a prayer that God would support. “She wants to fall in love with the Bible, wonderful – POOF” and then I would immediately have an insatiable need to read the Bible. A burning desire to read it at every free moment.
Truth? I made the request. God did not “POOF.” I have had a new and unusual desire to clean my house since I prayed. I even did some spot cleaning of stains I’ve had on my carpets for years this morning. But I have no new desire to open the Word. UGH! If I have to do this in my own power I don’t have enough faith in myself to get it done!
What now, God? What now?