Bumps in the Road

Source: thewarehousemadrid.wordpress.com

So, we've set off to read the Bible in its entirety this year!  Yay!  I know the Lord has many things to teach us, whether it is your first time through, or whether you are in your double-digit laps.

However, let's be realistic: like with anything we set out to do on a consistent basis, things come up, plans change, and let's just say life happens: kids get sick, we travel for vacations, our crazy aunt drops in unexpectedly for a long weekend, and suddenly we can find ourselves a week or more "behind" in our Bible reading plan. Or (and I am speaking from experience) the end of February rolls around and you get stuck in Leviticus...again.  Days turn into weeks and then you just completely fall of the wagon.

Anticipating bumps in the road now, and formulating an action plan to use when things get a bit crazy (and they will), really goes a long way towards helping you reach your Bible reading goals for the year.

So what do you do when things go south?  First and foremost, start out with the mindset of grace.

We must realize this endeavor is not a quick sprint to the end!  Rather, this is a marathon of faith, that goes beyond this month and even this year.  If you miss a day, try to catch up the next.  But if you miss a string of days, does it really matter that you read through the word of God in 14 months versus 12?  Just jump back in and carry on.  No shame, no judgement.

The next thing to keep in mind is to change it up a bit!  Are you stuck in Leviticus or another passage of Scripture that seems dry or that you struggle to understand?  Put in a book dart and flip to a new book.  If you are in the Old Testament, flip to the New.  One section I like to read is the Minor Prophets: Jonah, Amos, Joel.  These are all very short books, so you really enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you read through the books because they go by so fast (and if you are a box checker, this feels really good!).  Start in Hosea and keep trucking until you hit Matthew.  You will have read 12 books (out of the 66) and will feel refreshed.  Win-win.

Another suggestion is to do this as a group!  Ask a girlfriend, prayer partner, women in your Bible study, your spouse, or your children to do this alongside of you.  Check in with the others and hold each other accountable and encourage one another each week!

Last, but not least, pray.  God knows your heart and it is certainly okay to admit your struggle with Him.  Overwhelmed?  Apathetic?  Pour out your heart and ask that He help you on this journey, as we know it is His will that you know and read His word!

Here are some verses that may encourage you along the way:

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.'" Mark 10:27 

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." 2 Chron 15:7

We can be sure there will be challenges and bumps along the way, but the reward of reading and knowing God's word will be profound, dear one!  May He be glorified in it all!  With God's help, we've got this :)