Last year, on January 1, 2018, I started what was essentially my 3rd or 4th legitimate attempt at completing the one year bible. Today, on February 3, 2019, I can happily say I’ve finally been able to achieve this goal! Clearly, I stumbled along the way and obviously had to restart on February 3rd of last year, but I am so incredibly happy and proud of myself for finally making it through my first read of the bible. Honestly, I have so many thoughts so this is just a stream of reflections on my first read through of the bible and lessons I’ve learned.
The Bible Is A Guidebook For Life
I don’t think there was any way for me to possibly understand this until I read the entire book myself. While growing up, reading the bible felt like it was done as a way to for the purpose of scholarly study. Church quizzes and contests on the names of the twelve tribes of Israel or all of the disciples, for example, made it seem like the bible was something to master rather than something to apply. Now, after my first read through of the Bible, my mind is overwhelmed at how applicable it can be to every situation. Do you want to know how to navigate romantic relationships, friendships, workplace dynamics, parenting and more? Read the Bible. Do you need guidance on making wise financial decisions? There’s something in the Bible for that. Do you want to pray but have no idea what to say? Hello Book of Psalms. Do you just need encouragement and reassurance? The Bible has it all. I’ve seen how life can be so much easier if I work to apply the lessons and teachings in the Bible, instead of looking at it as a history book meant to stay in the past.
Sunday school lessons and contests made it seem like the bible was something to master rather than something to apply.
I Know My Worth
By finishing a read through of Bible, I’ve made it through a whole book of God telling me who I am and how much I matter to Him. That He has known me since I was just a cell in my mother’s womb. That He created me for a purpose. That He has plans for me and ALL of those plans are good. That the hairs on my head are not only counted but numbered. That He knows my every want and need before I even open my mouth to ask. That He loves me even through all of my flaws and mess ups. How can I not be confident and secure in my identity when that’s the message sent to me through the Bible? Why would I ever think my worth is tied to a man or my achievements? So yea, basically after reading the Bible, you can’t tell me NOTHING *hair flips*
I Need To Read More
I hope you didn’t think that I’d just read the One Year Bible once and be done with it. To be fully transparent, there were many parts of the Bible that were just outright confusing to read the first time around. That’s normal and expected especially when you’re not just picking and choosing the most popular parts of the bible that people like to quote or put in their Instagram bios (no shade). The exciting part is that just with any book I read or movie I watch for a second time, there’s something new that I’ll be able to grasp as I continue to read it more. I’m so excited to start again with year 2 tomorrow!
Final Thoughts
I usually keep to myself about reading the bible and I know I want to do a much better job of finding a community or at least one person to share my thoughts and experiences with. Just remember that it’s truly never too late to start committing to read the Bible. Even though I started on January 1st last year, I wasn’t able to fully commit until February, hence why I’ve finished it now, instead of at the start of the year. So why not start now? I know this post may not have sounded especially articulate or profound but I wanted to speak my truth. Hopefully this can encourage anyone who is still trying to navigate being more consistent in their journey of faith through reading the Bible.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
