If you are not in the mood to read much this evening, then this is the post for you! My goal with what I want to share with you is a different perspective to the way that you spend your time in the word. This idea wasn't mine, the pastor at church this morning shared it and brought it up. The context was a little different than what I am sharing, but when I really thought about it, I figured that it would be great thought to share, in a little bit of a different context.
When you spend time in the word do you ever just spend time in it just to spend time in it? Or do you try to get something out of it? Do you try to get something out of it, but seem not too? I think those problems might be fairly common. For those who try to spend time in the word everyday, sometimes it's easy to just glance at the scripture you are reading and not really study it. I know that I used to be so guilty of that. The way I used to look at it was that I was still reading my bible, even if I wasn't learning anything. Even when you open up the word to sit down and really study it, sometimes it is just really hard. It's hard because some of the stories don't make sense and sometimes half of the cities and the peoples names you can't pronounce!
Picture this: You are sitting by a totally random person in a coffee shop. You are sitting side by side. (Might be weird, but bare with me) Both of you are instructed that you have to turn and look into each others eyes. So, you turn and look really quick, but not too long because it is so awkward. Now do you think the two people noticed anything during the quick eye contact that they made? Probably not. Next, you are instructed to turn and look at the person beside you again. This time, you need to figure out what color eyes the person has. So you turn, you look, and this time it is a little longer because you have the intention of figuring out something. This encounter was still a little awkward, but you learned something. Now, you're hoping you don't have to make any more eye contact because you are tired of the awkwardness...but there is one more step. The last thing you are instructed to do is to look into the person's eyes beside you and see if you can see your reflection from their eyes. This requires some deep eye contact into the persons eyes beside you. (Introvert's nightmare) You do it. You see your reflection and pray you don't have to do it again. What you most likely think after you did this, while you're probably sitting there will a cold sweat, was that this may have been really awkward for you, but when you had a specific intention and a goal, you learned something about the person beside you. Which can be a lesson for all. To learn and to grow requires those awkward moments and requires obedience to the things that you really don't want to do.
What you just pictured is how we should view the word of God. We can't just open it up and glance over it. We have to open it up and really take a deeper look into it. It's not enough to love God, you have to learn about God also.
My challenge to you is that next time you open the word of God that you remember this post! Read with the intention of learning, not just to read and to say you read your bible today. Once you begin doing this, your life will change. I promise! This may be out of your comfort zone, but nothing ever worth it is easy.
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