Tuesday, July 24, 2018

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13



Eight years old. 



Deuteronomy 5:6 and Psalm 19. I know these Scripture texts by heart. I can even recite it for you if you’d like. You see, my Dad lets us read it everyday. We sit together and take turns reading the verses. My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 19:20 which says,”Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer.” I even include it in my prayers. I like it. But, you know what I don’t like? Our Bible reading during the Sabbath! We read long chapters with big, deep words that I don’t even understand.

While my Dad and my brother are reading, I let my mind wonder into things that I could be doing instead of sitting down and reading this boring book. Why can’t we read the picture Bible instead? I wonder what we'll have for dinner. I sure would want some Mac n cheese..

So what happened here?” Oooops! Dad is asking me a question.
You’re not paying attention are you?,” He says.
I shrink myself and listen as Dad lectures me.

That was the worst part! Dad’s questions. My brother seems to know the answers all the time. But how can I know? I’m just a little girl! Hmmm… maybe I should pay attention next time.


Fourteen years old.


It’s the Sabbath and I’m reading a novel while my Bible sits on the dresser. I feel a little guilty but hey, this story has a moral lesson too. We will have our Bible reading later anyway, so it’s fine. We read the Bible everyday as a family. Even though I don’t pay attention and daydream at times, it’s still reading. I also have my personal devotional which has Bible verses in there too. And before I study and do my homework, I read some of the Psalms even though I try to rush it a bit. But at least I read!

It’s all right. It’s not like I haven’t tried to read the Bible on my own, trust me, I have. And it wasn’t very interesting to me. Some of the chapters were so long and school work usually gets in the way. It’s hard to pick up where I left.

I actually would love to sit down and read it someday. But there are far more interesting books to read right now. So it’s acceptable. But why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel like the Bible is calling me every time I look at it? I have this longing inside my heart to just take it and read it and put all my mind, heart and soul in it. I just can’t seem to find the right time.

Sixteen years old.


That’s it! I can't take this feeling anymore. I’m reading you, Bible! First, I need to pray for the Holy Spirit. Okay, let’s read. I’m going to start in Genesis. Wow! I’ve read this countless times during our Bible reading, how can I have missed these wonderful truths?

This is amazing! I don’t want to ever stop reading the Bible. This makes me feel sooo gooood! I love it!! I'm going to read this everyday. This is the best Book ever.

I am falling and growing in love with Jesus. All these years, I’ve missed this Truth. But now, God has opened my mind, heart and soul to accept, truly read and focus on His Word.


Today.


I now look back at my life and I can see how deceiving we can be to ourselves. The Word was there with me all these years, but I never opened my heart to it.

I felt the Holy Spirit has been calling me to truly focus on His Word, but I just ignored Him. I’m so thankful He never stopped convicting me. Right now, the Bible is the most important thing I own. And I can’t just keep it to myself, I love to share it!

Reading the Bible, was one of the ways God used to speak the Truth to me, to convict me and to captivate my heart. I got to personally know the God that I am worshiping and I fell in love with Him.

If you feel compelled to read the Bible, please do so. You won’t ever regret it. It will bring joy, peace, and healing to your soul.

How has the Bible changed your life? I'd love to know about it in the comments below.

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2 comments

It took me growing into adulthood to really treasure the Bible, too. I wish that I had opened up earlier, but thankful that God is patient and calls to but doesn't rush us!

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Thanks for dropping by Rachel! (We have the same name 😂) Yes, I'm grateful God is patient with us and everything makes sense in His perfect timing. Praise God that we now read our Bibles.

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