In the past year and a half, I have been studying The Bible. I mean REALLY studying it. At first, it was ok, and I was trying to find my rhythm. But what really made the difference for me is this.
The Bible is not about me. It’s about God.
Not the studying of it, the reading of it or the learning from it is about God. The Bible is God’s story. Telling us about Him. For some of you, this conclusion might seem very anti-climactic. For me though, it meant so much because I really wanted to know more about God.
For so long The Bible felt irrelevant to me. Most of the time it was because I couldn’t relate. I didn’t see my struggles or my issues in it’s pages. But that is where I was so wrong! It wasn’t supposed to be a diagnostic manual telling me why I did what I did.
I think that is one church myth we hear, and it is an arrogant one.
You see, if we approach our studying as research on God and His character and His heart, it makes it easier to trust Him and believe His good will toward us. When I stopped trying to insert myself into scripture and allowed God to tell me about Himself through His Word, it was a game changer for me. Completely.
Now, before I dive in, I pray this:
"Lord, open my eyes so I can see you. Open my mind so I can know you. Open my spirit so you can reveal yourself to me. Open my heart so I can be transformed to be like you. Amen”
My invitation for this new year is to read The Bible for the sole purpose of knowing God better. That’s it.
Let me know how it goes.