Journey of the Word

If you are reading this sentence, you are in the minority. Most became immediately disinterested when they noticed the title. If they noticed it.

Of all the things to read online, who’s going to read a post entitled, “I Love to Read the Bible”?

First, it sounds boring. Second, it must be a lie. Third, if it could possibly be true, it must be a super-spiritual thing that super-spiritual people say.

Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.

While I can’t make the Bible appealing to you or fill you with a great love for it, I can tell you what’s true for me. I love to read the Bible.

I love to sleep in and take my time getting ready for the day. I love to plan ahead and arrive early. I love watching my students succeed. I love proofreading and editing. I love babies and piano music. I love cottage cheese, cheesecake, cheese crackers, cheese puffs, and cheese. I love people. I love fall weather and all things pumpkin. And I love reading the Bible.

I do not love all of these things equally, but I do love them. And yes, I love reading the Bible. I want to read it. I get excited about reading it. I prioritize it above other things because I would be sad if it were the other way around. I sometimes forget other things, but not this. And I sometimes spend a lengthy amount of time reading the Bible without even realizing it.

Who does that? Super-spiritual people who are close to God and have nothing better to do? Nope.

Because I would describe myself as a weak soul in need of grace. A sin-diseased saint in search of heavenly-mindedness. A typical citizen of this temporary land – distracted, busy, bombarded, pulled in every direction. A pilgrim living in a crazy, contorted world, fighting to find time and energy for things that matter. I face loneliness, stress, fear, sorrow, temptation, and despair. I plead for a heart that desires God, because my heart desires lots of other things more. I long for a nature that perpetually exudes Christlikeness, because my nature is far different.

That’s me. And I love to read the Bible.

I love it, because I find in it everything I am searching for. Life. Answers. Understanding. Help. Hope. Peace. Joy. Truth.

If you found something that had all of those things, you would love it, too. And you wouldn’t be able to let it go. And you’d constantly be wanting it. And you wouldn’t let anyone or anything take it. And you’d give up other things to spend time with it.

That’s what happened to me.

So maybe this post was a bore to you after all. But one day, the thought occurred to me: “I don’t feel obligated to read the Bible. I don’t hurry through the dreaded duty anymore. It is no longer a neglected task that makes me feel guilty. I love to read the Bible.”

And when that thought occurred to me as I sat at a red light, I was shocked. And amazed. And grateful.

Three good reasons to tell somebody.

It’s not super-spiritual, and it’s not a lie. I love to read the Bible.

 [image credit: pixabay.com, journeyoftheword.com]