Starting the new year off right
My husband came home from work one day in the beginning of January sharing about how 10 of the guys from his work place decided to take up the challenge of reading through the Bible in one month. My husband is a learner and very passionate about the Lord. I told him I was proud of him, probably told him that was kinda crazy, but then went about the rest of my day.
Shortly after this conversation, I sat down to scroll through social media and I felt that gentle nudge from the Father to join him. This thought went through my head, what if I signed off social media and joined my husband in the challenge, could I do it? I wouldn't call this a new years resolution since I began it AFTER the new year, but I was definitely provoked. And in my usual, impulsive nature, I immediately deleted Facebook and Instagram on my phone, so I wouldn't turn back, and made the public declaration to my family that I would not get back on social media until I was done reading through the ENTIRE Bible. I knew my son would keep me accountable, now that he is on Instagram.
My kids were a bit surprised since I am on social media way too much, but they all kind of shrugged their shoulders in support. One of the things I was asking the Lord for last year was a love for His Word. I have been reading my very slow 1-2 chapters most days, but I wanted a new LOVE for it. I see a lot of the students that we work with falling in love with the Word, I see a lot of our overseas missionaries loving the Word, but I want to love His Word too...little housewife, homeschool mom, me.
When I began, I was definitely having some worried regrets, "What if I don't finish in time? Why did I do this? I should just make it my goal to read it in one year...this is craziness..." But after some encouragement from my husband, and after pushing through one week, I can honestly say that reading the Bible in this way sparked a fresh love for His Word, like I have never had. It was so challenging to stay on task and I really had to stay focused, but I felt deeply inspired when I was finished.
A friend asked me which book of the Bible stood out to me after reading through this time and I had no answer. I will say though that a sobriety and holy fear has risen up in me after reading the Old Testament again. It's deeply troubling to me that so many people in the Bible started well, but didn't finish well. My prayer since reading through has been, "Lord, please let me finish well...let me live for you all the days that I have breath." I am not judging those Kings and men of old by the way, I am honestly just struck and challenged by my humanity. (This is a very Number 1 on the enneagram type of revelation I guess. ha!)
Lord please help us all stay faithful until the end, in Jesus' name Amen. If you have a desire to try reading the entire Bible in one month yourself, I encourage you to just go for it! You don't have to wait until next January ❤️😊!