Journey of the Word

I sometimes think I’m a freak of nature.

I despise bananas. Housework is one of my favorite pastimes. I hate the thought of dancing. And for a highly opinionated person, my vote is, “I don’t care,” A LOT.

But I really feel like a freak of nature when it comes to Bible study. I choose to study the Bible {gasp}, and I lead Bible studies, and I blog about Bible study. And people have this impression that I just sit around and study the Bible all day.

Eh. Nope.

But when I do study the Bible, I must admit I do a little happy dance inside {the only place you’ll find me dancing ever} and my rare giddiness tends to come out, and I think people add me to their mental list of weirdos {which, honestly, is okay by me}.

And, often, the question comes: Why do you study the Bible?

Why do you go through the trouble of printing markable copies of Scripture passages, and carrying around pouches of colored pencils everywhere you go, and creating meticulous study activities, and coordinating study groups, and talking about the same passage over and over again, and allowing – even encouraging – a Bible study to drag out for months. And years.

That’s a lot. Why do you do it?

Three reasons. Three big purposes. Three end goals for why I study the Bible the way I do.

1. To meditate on the Word. All those little detail things and time-consuming things happen because I need to think about God. Because, when I go back to look at all those words shaded in fuschia or circled in coral and I ask questions about them and light bulbs start appearing out of nowhere? When I gather with friends and bat ideas back and forth, and dig for clues, and ponder the thing I’m seeing from all manner of angles? I’m meditating. Then gaping. And cheering. And it draws me back for more.

2. To live according to the Word. Such glories firing off in my brain, and the saddest, most tragical thing I could do would be to leave them there. So every thought – every ounce of meditation – is aimed at going and doing and being and living. To discover what’s there . . . and then actually live. like. I’ve. discovered. it. ‘Cause that seems logical.

3. To know the Word-giver. Ultimately, my answer lies here. Why do I study the Bible, and in such a unique, painstaking fashion? Because I want to know my Lord. And there is the most primary of places where I find him. There, in ink and paper, I find my Jesus. And to know him is life, abundant and free.

So, honestly, I’m just wondering why there aren’t more folks in my little “freak of nature” band . . .

[image credit: unsplash.com]