I have this problem where I come home sometimes, (ok a lot) where the car is basically on empty. After work I want to go straight home and not have to stop anywhere. There’s no time! So, my sweet husband is left with filling up the cars.
Life is BUSY.
Work, taking kids to school, taking kids to practice, picking up kids, making time for your (spouse, family, friends), cleaning the house, dinner on the table, feed the cat (or walk the dog), grocery trips, exercise, church, volunteering, family events, birthday parties, dishes to wash, running errands, trying not to forget to move the laundry to the dryer before bed, and tell your husband the car needs gas.
But you know the thing we need most that wasn’t on the list? STILLNESS. And I’m not talking about stillness scrolling through social media. When was the last time you sat down meditating in God’s word?
Last week I finished reading the entire Bible for the VERY FIRST TIME. It took me 1 year and 2 weeks, but easily the best thing I have done.
Years before I had tried to read the Bible all the way through, but every time I would get stuck in the Old Testament thinking it was boring and hard to follow. I didn’t want to use the excuse anymore that I didn’t have time, because I really needed his word.
It’s like driving my car until the tank is empty,
But in reality my OWN tank is empty.
A year ago, I stumbled upon Candance Cameron Bure’s Podcast and her guest was Tara-Leigh Cobble (host of The Bible Recap). I remember the “aha!” moment when I heard her say to read the Bible in chronological order instead of front to back & to look for God in every verse instead of trying to figure out how it applies to yourself.
Understanding the Bible, seeing God’s hand in everything – how he used broken, ordinary people to do amazing things. This changed my life.
Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of night, that I may meditate on your promises.
Life is busy but you can bring God into your busy.
If it’s hard for you to sit and read, listen to the Bible audibly while you are:
driving to work – folding the laundry – washing dishes -mopping floors – nursing your baby – mowing the lawn – taking a walk
If you can start waking up just 10 minutes before anyone else is up, when the house is peaceful, open your Bible and sit with Jesus. If that doesn’t work for you, I get it. I have an early riser, so I don’t usually have time before anyone wakes up. Figure out what YOU can do to make sure you have that time. Maybe it’s cutting things out- put your phone down & turn off Netflix.
I have found, after I make breakfast, I can turn Bluey on for my daughter and I’ll have at least 20 minutes with Jesus before my Mom hat has to come back on!
This weekend I was watching If Gathering (women’s conference) and the part that brought me to tears was seeing a group of people from Guatemala receiving the Bible in their native tongue for the very first time. The pure joy they had to receive the Bible was both inspiring, and convicting. In America we have access to SO many Bibles, but many of us haven’t even opened it up. Let that sink in.
Do you want your tank to be full again? Make time, and start reading your Bible. Trust me, it will be the best thing you invest your time in.
Where to Start?
- Download the Bible App
- Search for: Wondered by the Word – The Bible in a Year
- After you read your verses for the day, listen to The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble wherever you listen to podcasts
