03 Jan New Year, New Bible Reading Habits, Better YOU | Real Women
Recently, I was having what felt at the time like a particularly trying day. It was one of those where it just felt like everything was harder than it should have been to complete. I had a long, long to-do list, and time was running out when I went into a store to pick up a piece of furniture. My goal was to get in and out as quickly as possible, but that’s not what happened.
The man who loaded the piece into my car noticed that I had Christian music playing. “What church do you go to?”, he kindly asked. I internally rolled my eyes as I was not in the mood to have a long spiritual discussion, but when he spoke, it hit me that all day I had been thinking about me, me, me.
In the midst of all my busyness, I forgot that there are billions of other people around me trying to make sense of this world, toiling to accomplish their goals, get a decent night’s rest, and start all over again.
So, I took a few minutes, answered the man’s questions, asked him about his spiritual background, and invited him to church. I doubt he’ll ever come, but maybe God partially meant that moment for me to be reminded to take a breath, slow down, and make some room. Or at least it felt that way: like a glass of ice water in my face. Thanks, God.
This isn’t a new problem, either. We see it all throughout the history of God’s people in the Bible. He gives them a Word, they obey it for a bit, then they forget, wander off path, and find themselves miserable. Remember Eden. The Golden Calf. Egypt. Babylon.
Although human nature hasn’t changed, thankfully, God’s nature hasn’t either. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Truth that led the Israelites out of their sin, idolatry, wandering, exile, and slavery is the same Truth that got me through my self-imposed chaotic rush of a day.
My attempt to calm myself down with Christian music playing in the background in my car was no replacement for face-to-face time with God. This kind of impersonal connection didn’t accomplish the kind of interaction God wanted to have with me that day.
As you start this new year, I encourage you, as I’ve been encouraging myself, not to overlook the importance of the impact of daily habits built up over time. Spending time with God every day may not always be magical. Rarely do I receive a revelatory Word just for me, often do I learn something new about Him or myself, and daily do I remember how much I need to rely on Him.
Something that has helped me build this habit is having a clear Bible plan. I know this isn’t for everyone, and it can sometimes seem too rote. I like to think of it as a guideline more than a rule. If I hit a part of the plan that God highlights to me, I spend more time there and get behind. If I get on a roll and get ahead, I don’t stress about it.
Whatever your style is, pick something. A book to study this year. A character. A word. A genre. I guarantee that as you pursue Him, He will find you. Not all at once, and probably not how you expect it, but He’ll be there waiting for you every day.
