So I’m reading through the BIble in a year. I was pretty hesitant at first because all last fall I would read maybe 2 verses a day. Needless to say, I was taking things really slow and tried to let things sink in pretty deep. So, to go from reading 2 verses a day to about 3 or 4 chapters was a bit disconcerting. I liked taking it slow. I didn’t miss anything, or at least I tried not to. But, in February, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and join my campus ministry in doing reading the Bible in a year. Have I regretted it? Not at all. It’s actually been really cool to read a bit from each section of the bible: History, Wisdom, New Testament, and Epistles. But it definitely calls into question why I’m doing it.
Starting off, I definitely didn’t care about reading the bible in a year or being able to say I did so. I still don’t. But it’s hard reading it in a year because I do feel that I miss things that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Somedays I read, and sometimes I actually absorb what it has to say. But more often, I’m rushing through it. It makes me think: if Jesus didn’t rush through things, why should I?
What I mean is this: Jesus was never in a rush to get anywhere. I cite the feeding of the four and five thousand. In both instances the disciples are telling Jesus, “send these people home so they can eat!” Jesus disagrees and tells them to find food, and they do and he blesses the food. Another instance is when you and I were saved. We weren’t completely sanctified right then and there. Sanctification is a process, and we have a very patient God. Also, think about when God had the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years. He wasn’t in such a rush to get them there that he allowed an unbelieving generation to enter the Promised Land. No. He waited 40 years for them to die off, so that a young believing generation would.
I challenge you: why do you worry about things? Are things really that important? Consider driving for a moment. Why go 10 miles over the speed limit, breaking the law, to get to a meeting you’re already late to? Those 10 miles are only going to get you there MAYBE 2 minutes faster. (Do the math sometime.) Few things in life are ever so important as to rush them. So take your time. Enjoy the grace God has given you =]
Stressful Sheep