Four Discoveries I Made While Reading Through the Bible in a Year
In January I committed to reading through the Bible in a year. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences so far. I say so far because I'm (almost) but not quite done. I wanted to share some things I have learned so far (and am still learning!) in the hopes that it encourages someone to pray about reading through the Bible in 2024! I know it’s only halfway through November, but it doesn’t hurt to think about it!
1. It’s going to be both harder and easier than you think :D Let me explain! Reading a few pages a day is not a challenging task. In fact, sometimes it feels like it flies by and I’m left wondering “should I really stop now?” That’s the easy part. The tough part is digesting it. Sometimes a single verse will turn my heart into a pretzel. And yet I still have another chapter to read! But I think that’s a gift because God is speaking to us through His Word and we're learning to really listen!
2. Never underestimate the power of consistently sitting before the Lord. Even though it only takes 5-15 minutes of my day, the way God has spoken to me through books of the Bible that seem way over my head blow my mind in all the best ways. Sometimes I flip through my Bible now and just think about how much more in love I am with it now even compared to last year. Which is saying something since I’m a huge Bible-loving nerd :D
3. Even chapters that seem too far removed to be “applicable to today” are full of things to teach! It has amazed and humbled me how even chapters that I felt were so far removed from any similarities to today still had so much to teach me. Verses in Nahum for instance (a book which admittedly, I knew little to nothing about previously) God weaved into my day or mind in ways I still shake my head at in surprise. The more time we bring ourselves to Him everyday, that’s more time he can speak to us!
4. A free Bible-reading app can be your best friend! One thing that really helped me stay focused during mornings when my coffee hadn’t kicked in yet was reading along with a read-aloud Bible, like the Bible app or Bible Gateway. There have been times where that extra accountability helped me stay on track and not mentally wander when I was tired!
I could have written pages of what I have learned from the Lord specifically through reading His word. But the most wonderful thing is the privilege of getting to know him more! Even though I’m not finished yet, I’ll say it again- it is so worth it, friends!
What about you? Have you thought about reading through the Bible in or year or have you done so in the past? If so, what was your experience?
2. Never underestimate the power of consistently sitting before the Lord. Even though it only takes 5-15 minutes of my day, the way God has spoken to me through books of the Bible that seem way over my head blow my mind in all the best ways. Sometimes I flip through my Bible now and just think about how much more in love I am with it now even compared to last year. Which is saying something since I’m a huge Bible-loving nerd :D
3. Even chapters that seem too far removed to be “applicable to today” are full of things to teach! It has amazed and humbled me how even chapters that I felt were so far removed from any similarities to today still had so much to teach me. Verses in Nahum for instance (a book which admittedly, I knew little to nothing about previously) God weaved into my day or mind in ways I still shake my head at in surprise. The more time we bring ourselves to Him everyday, that’s more time he can speak to us!
4. A free Bible-reading app can be your best friend! One thing that really helped me stay focused during mornings when my coffee hadn’t kicked in yet was reading along with a read-aloud Bible, like the Bible app or Bible Gateway. There have been times where that extra accountability helped me stay on track and not mentally wander when I was tired!
I could have written pages of what I have learned from the Lord specifically through reading His word. But the most wonderful thing is the privilege of getting to know him more! Even though I’m not finished yet, I’ll say it again- it is so worth it, friends!
What about you? Have you thought about reading through the Bible in or year or have you done so in the past? If so, what was your experience?
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