Going into the Race, and during month one I was surrounded by people that were spending every day reading their Bible. I looked at them and thought, that will never be me! HA! Parts of God’s word are good…yeah! BUT some of it and when I say some I mean most of it, I really struggled with. I struggled with understanding and believing that most of the bible applied to my life. It didn’t fit, nor did it belong. I mean come on, it was written thousands of years ago and a lot has changed since then.
For the first 3 months of the Race I really struggled with having motivation to read my Bible. I even shipped my Bible home after month 3 (along with some other things) because my pack was too heavy. I thought to myself…there must be something horribly wrong with me…. I am a Christain and I should LOVE reading my Bible. It is what I am called to do right?! So I started praying and asking God to soften my heart and give me a fresh desire to read His Word and fall in love with it.
Over New Years, I made a resolution that I was going to read the Bible in a year. So, I found a “Bible In A Year” reading plan on my bible app. I thought maybe if I just start reading it, I will read myself right into liking it. Hmm….OK.
GUESS WHAT!?
God DOES answer prayers!! Especially if you keep your eyes open and in-tune with him. I can proudly say that I have fallen in love with the Word of God. It’s been 90 days of me reading God’s word every morning. Some days I won’t lie I don’t feel like doing it, but I always come out of my devotional time feeling better and wiser.
Some of the scripture, especially, the old testament is CRAZY. Especially those Israelites and the burnt offerings they had to perform to be right with God. I am not saying there is no way that applies to my life, but am rather learning through the Old Testament, why it is significant. If we didn’t have the history in the Old Testament before Jesus, we wouldn’t understand or acknowledge the significant of what Jesus did for us. He became the ultimate sacrifice, so we don’t have to go through all those rituals and sacrifices to be right with God. The old testament is necessary, despite what I’ve thought in the past, and I am so thankful God is teaching me and softening my heart.
Christians have always told me, God’s Word–The Bible– is A Living Word. This means that God can use his word and speak to us through it no matter who you are or what you’ve been through. I have never believed this until NOW! Some of the Bible might not speak to me right now in my season of life, but God can still highlight and use other parts to reach me, teach me, and shape me.
Here are a few verses that I have found helpful to meditate on surrounding this topic:
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
I love you all!
-B
P.S My team and I have made it to Serbia, month 7 wow! We will be staying in a city in the north called Novi Sad! We will be staying at church and doing outreach around the city. Stay tuned for more!
