The restaurant menu is before you. Your favorite restaurant has so many choices on each page. What to choose tonight? You are super hungry and thirsty for something that satisfies.
You flip through the pages of the restaurant menu picturing the item in your mind. Maybe in the past you have selected something you ate before or something you haven't. You decide, tell the server and later eat and drink your items. Hunger and thirst satisfied.
The Bible is like a life menu. It sits before you. You picture it in your mind. You open it, scan the pages, and select what you want. Perhaps, you select something you have read and enjoyed before or something new. You are hungry and thirsty for wisdom. You select something to read, make your own interpretation and shut the book. 
How can the items in a life menu (Bible) satisfy us in the same way items on a restaurant menu can?
In the past, I wasn't one for reading the bible. In fact, I only really opened it on Sundays. I just didn't understand it and got frustrated, or in truth I just wasn't interested in the history or stories. Just teach me things that apply to me. Who cares about the father of blah blah the son of blah blah etc.
Why wouldn't I just pick it up and read it?
Perhaps, my life was just too busy and when I had time to sit down and relax, other activities were more appealing.
In truth, we all make time for what we believe we need, and we certainly make time to do what we want. Life is rarely too busy to go on the Internet, watch the t.v or go out with friends. The fact is that our priorities reveal what we truly value, and the not enough time excuse is most likely just a cover up.
Nah, there's something deeper. A deeper reason I can't seem to pick up the life menu (Bible) and read it.
Perhaps, the Bible reading is not working because I make it about myself. As I read it, I am looking for practical lessons on life, instructions on how to act, and commands how to not suffer and find true love.
It is frustrating for me at times when I can't find the wisdom I need for the day, and get going with life. This leads me to ignore the boring parts and focus on what i think will directly apply to me and ignore the parts I don't understand.
The solution to this problem is to see that the Bible is about Jesus and not me. The solution is to take my eyes off myself and begin to look at Jesus in the Bible.
Despite, all that our minds would have us believe, the Bible is not a book given to teach us moral lessons, but a book given to us to teach us about God so that we can delight in him. Sounds simple, but it takes courage and disciple to open up the Life Menu and actually comprehend what we read.
On the race, I have finally taking the Life Menu into my hands daily. Asking God for help in understanding the confusing parts. The community of squad mates around me help me to learn and comprehend Gods menu. I read to read. No pressure, no judgement just desire.
If you struggle with reading the Bible. I challenge you to seek the reasons. Are they similar to mine?
Don't let you stand in the way.
"Don't merely listen to the Bible, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Bible, but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like". (James 1:23-24)
"But, the man who looks intently onto the perfect law that gives FREEDOM, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25)
Food for thought! Love you all. Africa in 2 weeks! <3
