4 Questions For Less Than Ideal Bible Reading
I have an ideal rhythm for Bible reading. Every morning, I make my coffee, sit down with my CSB Readers Bible and check off four to five chapters on my Bible reading plan (of which I never miss a day). That's ideal.
My ideal is not my reality.
My Bible reading is much more scattershot. I listen to a few chapters on a walk, read a paragraph while waiting at school pick-up, a chapter here a chapter there, and lots of missed boxes on my reading plan. Actually, at the moment I don't even remember where I put my paper copy of the plan.
You may get periodic tastes of an ideal Bible reading rhythm, but if your reality is like mine don't freak out. The point is not a perfect coffee and Bible study, but to be shaped by God's word. Here are four questions I ask myself about my Bible reading that have nothing to do with the time of day or how many chapters I get through. Rather they focus on the priority of engaging God's word and sharing the fruits with others.
Would someone watching my daily life believe that Bible reading was a high priority?
Psalm 1:2 "Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, /and he meditates on it day and night."
Am I drinking deeply from the Bible so that I can encourage others with what I've been reading?
Romans 15:14 "My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another."
Is my thinking captive to the Word of God?
1 Corinthians 10:4-5 "We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Does the pace of my life keep me from slow and quiet contemplation of God?
Psalm 46:10 (ESV) "Be still, and know that I am God. / I will be exalted among the nations, / I will be exalted in the earth!”
Bible reading will be less than ideal. That's okay. The beauty, power, and good work of God's word do not depend on our rhythm. Don't obsess over a perfect rhythm. Pursue being deeply formed by the word of Christ.