Do you ever feel like you are in chains and that something is holding you back? You probably do. I know that I do sometimes. Even on the best of days. You might ace a quiz, have a great day at practice, the weather might be perfect outside and you still feel like you are missing something. It's because you are! We both are.
"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
( John 8:31 )
Right in that verse, Jesus is telling us that if we abide in his word, that we will know the truth and that the truth will set us free.
For me, even on my very best days where everything seems to go so well, if I don't spend time in the word I don't feel set free. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit has the power to make you feel that way. On the very best of days! Without the word, I don't feel like myself! For example, I had to opportunity to go to the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game on Saturday and it was an absolutely amazing day. Everything about it was great! I didn't spend time in the word and the entire day I felt like I was missing something. It didn't affect the way I went about that day, on the inside I just felt like I was missing something. I believe that not everybody feels that way. I know that before I became discipled with getting into the word, I had no idea what I was missing out on. I thought it was other things, I didn't realize it was that simple. That's the beauty of it all. It's all so simple!
Abide in the word, spend time in the word = you will be set free
simple, simple, simple
My encouragement to you is this, if you feel like you are missing out on something and don't feel fulfilled entirely, get into the word. Spend 5 minutes a day and your life will change. Sure, you might read something that doesn't make sense, and it's not all going to make sense to you. I read things every day that doesn't make any sense to me. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to interpret what you are reading and will use it for you and either your best interests or convictions.
Spend some time in the word. Try reading one chapter a day! When I say that, I am not saying read all of John today, I am saying, "Try reading John 1." There is so much that comes from the word of God.
I believe that spending time in the word is one of the most difficult things for Christians to do. We are all super busy, it's human nature. It's way easier to focus on prayer, our works, or focus on loving others, etc. Reading the bible might come at an inconvenience for most. Which is fine! There are people out there who love to read and people who rather do anything besides read. That makes sense. We are all human, we are all weird, we are all different.
I also encourage you to turn your inconvenience into a convenience. When we do things that are out of our comfort zones, we experience growth. We are simply doing things that we are not used to doing and once we begin doing that, the sky is the limit. Imagine turning each inconvenience in your life into things that are convenient. The opportunity for growth is amazing!
What are the takeaways?
1. Spend some time in the word and you will be set free. Remember, spending 5 minutes in the word one day a week most likely won't change your life. It's going to take some consistency and discipline. It takes time, trust me. Anything that is ever worth it isn't easy. We have a longing for eternity in our hearts and when we spend time in the word, we fulfill some of that longing.
2. Make your inconveniences convenient. The things that are difficult for you to do and the things you don't like making time for might hold the keys to fulfillment and happiness. WE have the opportunity to grow every single day.
Let's do it!
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