My morning Bible readings seem to have disintegrated into a sleepy read of one chapter, and a prayer - snuggled up under a blanket on the sofa, drifting in and out of sleep. Even if something does seem to stick with me, the whole process feels groggy and generally not as profitable and alive as I wish.
In the prayer example which Jesus gives his disciples, he tells us to ask for daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Although this means literal food, we also need renewing spiritually, to help us through the day. It is a time to 'feed on his Word', to hear his voice to us, guiding us through life.
I once heard a minister* preaching from Ruth 2. He spoke about gleaning, and how we glean spiritually from the Bible. He encouraged us that when we read, if something catches our attention, to stop - to think about it and to look up other Bible verses that come to mind, for this may be the Holy Spirit speaking to us.
To further benefit my Bible reading times I have previously tried using study guides and making notes - some I have stuck with for some months, but then I never look at my scribblings again. Some of them seem very forced - desperately trying to 'make' a verse speak to me - others are confused, trying to work out the precepts and principles (which I never seem to get the hang of).
Frustrated with my felt lack of spiritual growth and current sleepyness, I thought if I were to come and sit up at my study table, perhaps my body would be more prepared for being awake; originally I planned to write anything that speaks to me on my husband's tablet, which is on in an instant (not like my slow laptop which would take all my motivation away by the time it was on!!). But then my mind jumped forward - like it does (!) - imagining how I could record these daily readings on a blog.
For the past 11 years ever since I was converted I have wanted to share my thoughts - I began a book, 'Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee'; I began a blog 'Christian Musings'; due to chronic illness the book never materialised, and due to fear of 'what people would think' the blog never got further than the first page. Whenever I have set goals for the year, a desire to have a christian blog has been there, but I have always quashed it thinking I hadn't the time, or the knowledge.
But now, I feel I need to do this for my own spiritual growth - I need the accountability to be disciplined even on days when I don't feel like it, I need to hear the Lord's voice. Why? That I might know him better - experience more of his love and love him more in return. And perhaps what I read and think about might be a help to others...
Concern that this blog might be my own 'flash in the pan' whim, and not something he wants me to invest in has held me back. I asked him to 'give' me something in my daily readings for a month, to encourage me that he would continue to give me 'food' to reflect and write about. He did. I asked him for further encouragement that this was really from him. Amongst other verses that grabbed my attention, this verse has stayed with me,
'But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people: that ye should show (proclaim) forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' (1Peter 2:9)
So, trusting in the Lord, I go forward, starting where I was in my daily readings. May we hear the Lord's precious voice in his word, and be given hearts to receive it.
God bless you, dear reader.
*JE Rutt, Pastor at Matfield Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel
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