Thursday, October 7, 2010

When You Avoid The Bible


Since I determined a long time ago that this blog would be as honest and real as I could make it, I admit sometimes I just don't write about what I am feeling. Sometimes, the things I am feeling are not very uplifting, not very spiritual. And it isn't that I want you to think I am perfect or anything like that. In fact, I am pretty sure there is no possible way any of you could ever think something that silly. But I have wanted to be an encouraging voice, a friend to spur you along, a fellow pilgrim to walk the path with....

So I confess: This morning, I just plain DID NOT want to read my Bible.

I just didn't feel like it! I thought about reading a host of other good books, spiritual books... but NOT the Bible. I thought about quickly perusing a magazine, a catalog, getting on the computer, wasting time on my facebook page, even cleaning my house!

Then I began to realize how absurd this avoidance was.... and I began to wonder why I was avoiding my Bible.

While I freely and excitedly acknowledge that sometimes reading my Bible is thrilling, that often I am immediately edified, my soul nourished... well, sometimes, I don't feel that way at all.

Sometimes reading my Bible is hard. Sometimes I feel like I am going through the motions. Sometimes I lose my focus and have to read the same passage over and over because I forgot what I read. Sometimes I feel like all those awesome promises are real and wonderful and true, but that, somehow, they don't apply to me. Sometimes, and I hate to admit this, but sometimes... I just get plain old bored.

That doesn't mean I shouldn't do it anyway.

By faith, I believe that every time I read scripture, I am being fed. Whether I feel like it or not.

I remember reading something Ray Comfort wrote once, and it has stuck with me. He explained how his wife has been making him dinner for many, many years, and that although he can not recall all the meals she made (not even in a single week!) he knows and is confident that he received nourishment from every one.

God's word is like that.

We remember exciting things like creme brulee and filet minon, but we tend to lose track of all the nourishing soups, salads, and casseroles in the interim.

So, friends, I encourage you to pick up that Book, to dig in, and to be gentle with yourself when you don't really feel like it, when you aren't feeling like you are getting anything out of it, or when (gasp!) you're just plain bored with it.

You're still being fed by the Living Bread.

2 comments:

  1. I struggle with this too. I do better getting into the Word when I have a study I am going through, but even with that I struggle to read daily.

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  2. Oh Amy, you are so real. I go through this too, but I just tell myself to be obedient. Sometimes blessings come when we are just "going through the motions" so to speak.

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