A Third of the Way There

When I chose my Word for the Year -- RUN -- it was a proactive choice.  Unlike years past, when I felt "the word chose me", I really wanted to choose a word that I could DO something with.  A word that would inspire me, push me, and make me take the desires and plans in my heart and run with them. Most of my life has been spent living the quote,

"The road to laziness, unfulfilled dreams, guilt, frustration, the status quo, ___________ (you fill in the blank with an appropriate word) is paved with good intentions."

Intentions get us nowhere, except perhaps to feeling good that we thought we would like to change/do something/be better.  But if we never do anything about those "desires," they really just do us a disservice. Without action, the intentions of our heart mean nothing.  I had to really embrace this truth.  Satan would love us to think that wanting to do the right thing is enough. And for so long, in so many areas, I have let myself rest in the fact that I want to change. And that is gotten me....absolutely nowhere.

So as I chose the word RUN this year, I was making a conscious choice that I would move from desire and intention into ACTION. There were (are) a number of areas that I wanted to target. I am taking them one or two at a time so as to not burn out. As I find consistency in those areas I can add in more.  I will RUN this year.  I will fight to be who I long to be.  I will trust in the strength and wisdom that God provides for me.  If I want to run, how much more does God long to see me live out HIs heart in my life?

All of that was just an intro to say that I am one third of the way through Reading the Bible in 90 days!  Before the new year, I saw it mentioned on a few blogs.  Since saturating myself in the Word was a desperate cry of my heart, this seemed a great way to do it. I was very dehydrated as far as time in the Word goes. I knew I needed to be refreshed but never really had a plan and a purpose in it.  Therefore, it never happened.  I had a number of experiences, too, when I was praying to God, seeking His will in my life, and rather than giving me the answers/direction I wanted, I just felt his voice saying to me, "Saturate yourself in the word."  And that is what I really wanted -- I wanted to let the "Word of Christ richly dwell within me."

And here I am -- one month later -- seven chapters into 2 Chronicles and in awe of the magnificence of the living Word. It hasn't always been easy, but I have seen some amazing benefits of reading the Word like this. Here are a few reasons why this has been a positive experience:

1. When you are reading large portions of Scripture like this, you can't miss a day.  Well you can, but it is then awfully hard to catch up!  With normal "Read through the Bible in a Year" programs, missing a day (about 3 chapters) is no big deal.  The problem is, one day turns into two, and two into three, and so on.  And then most people quit.  With this program, for me, skipping is just not an option.

2. When you read at this speed, the unifying themes of the Word are more clearly seen. You see the same commands, problems, sin, and triumphs repeat themselves over and over again.  You get to take a step back and see Scripture in the larger picture -- as a whole.  It is a completely different view!

3. With massive amounts of the Word coming in such a short time, it is much harder to distance yourself from the stories.  I have spent a month reading about horrific wars, famine, greed, sin, overwhelming grace, love, and humility.  I can't read for 10 minutes and step away. I often find myself really trying to come to grips with the horror of death and disease that was a daily plight of the Israelite people.  We think our world is going through hard times now -- but then -- oh my!

I can't wait to continue in my journey!  I am excited to move into the books of poetry and see the heart of David and the prophets pour out.  After reading Genesis - 2 Chronicles, I am humbled and heavy-hearted over the sin of the Israelite people.  I am also heavy-hearted over my own sin and lack of repentance.  But as I move into new books I am anxiously awaiting the promises of the hope in God, the praises of His people, the cry of repentance from Isaiah and Jeremiah, and the blessings of obedience for the Israelites. Oh...I can't wait!

Comments

[Tamara]

That's so wonderful to read like that. I've never really thought of/attempted that. I figure the reading the Bible in a year was a good start for me- I don't think I've ever read it all the way through. Maybe I'll try it this way next time.