I have a confession. For nearly a year I coveted my friends in possession of a certain book. Not just any book, mind you. The book. Nearly every week someone in my writer’s group sang the praises of The Synonym Finder, a 1,300 page thesaurus. The more I heard about this wonderful tool, the more I came to see it as the thing that transforms someone’s writing. Oh, the thought! However, my budget never allowed for the purchase of said desired item, so I continued using the same repetitious words. You can only imagine my excitement when I ventured to Amazon one morning and found a used copy for less than four dollars. One click later and my long-awaited thesaurus was on its way.
I tore open the packaging when the cherished tome arrived. Thousands of words greeted me, daring me to piece them together in extraordinary ways. My writer’s mind celebrated the possibilities. I had arrived. But as the weeks passed, my writing remained the same without any sudden improvements. It’s just a hunch, but it probably had something to do with the fact the very thing I desired for so long quickly found itself next to my desk, gathering dust.
There is another book that has the power to change us. And yet, all too often we allow the most incredible story of love and redemption to remain on our nightstand untouched. We unknowingly forfeit the many blessings it holds for us, as we hold to the same “words” we’ve always known.
John Ortberg recommends allotting five minutes daily to commune with God when learning how to pray. I think the same suggestion can be said with reading your Bible. If you aren?t sure where to begin, Navpress Bible reading plan provides an outline for reading through the entire New Testament in a year by reading five minutes a day, five times a week. Or, google “Bible Reading Plans” to find something that works for you. Ask God to give you insight and understanding. Let Him show you how it applies in your life.
Krista and Michele are gifted writers, but when it’s all said and done, we are nothing more than fellow sojourners. Let us encourage you to read the words that will alter your lives in ways you’ve never dreamt possible. Cherish them. Savor them. Let them penetrate your soul, and yes, even bring about the most radical transformation.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
October 29th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Stacy,
I filled out a “Getting to Know You” questionnaire in my Fall Bible Study class and one of the questions was, What is your favorite book? I wanted to choose The Bible and I wrote it down but I didn’t want to be perecived as “Miss Goody Two Shoes”. Then I had to share the answer with my small group. I shared that this past year God’s Word HAS become my favorite book because it has become SO real to me. God has revealed so many truths to me and I understand so much more clearly how much He loves me and desires to have a personal relationship with me. How did this happen? Since February 2007 I have been reading the Bible and journaling everyday. I answer two questions every day. What did God say to me? What did I say to God? It has transformed my life. I have been a Christian for years but finally took the plunge of dedicated, consistent Bible Study. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Everything you said is true.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Patti,
Thank you for sharing how taking the plunge of consistent Bbile study has changed your life! What an encouragement to me and others!
I’d love for other people to also share either how they read the Bible (such as the 2 questions Patti always asks) or how it has impacted them. Let’s turn this into a wall of praise!
Stacy
October 29th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
In a world of “how-to” books, and THE Book so often set aside, so often overlooked. Someone recently said to me “I don’t read it because it scares me because I might have to change.” Hmmmmm!!! What a concept! To get it, one MUST GET IN IT! “Your Word IS life to me.” Thanks for your sweet encouragement, Stacy!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:45 am
Owning a book (or the Bible) doesn’t do you any good unless you actually use it. Good post.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Stacy,
I use a Beth Moore devotional most every day, but I try to make sure I open my Bible and read the verse she uses just so I don’t only rely on Beth Moore. (Though she is good!) I love the Bible but so many times I ignore it. I absolutely adore your analogy between the synonym finder and the God’s Power Finder! Thanks for making me think and ask God if I am truly using His gift to me every day.