12 years…
This morning, I read through some of the book of 1 Samuel.
Samuel holds dear to my heart for many reasons. One of those being that it was the very first book of the bible I read when I began this bible reading journey back in 2012.
Some of you reading this post today were with me on that journey so long ago!
Shine Girls was created from us all reading and studying God’s Word together way back in 2012.
Slowly, it has transformed to this page, Rise and Shine.
Often, I look back at those early posts and they bring me to tears.
My kids were 10 and 7 at the time. Life was very different than it is today.
I was so new at this Bible reading thing. I was devouring it day by day.
I found myself fascinated by the stories, the characters, the adventures!
12 years later, I am still just as fascinated.
“His Word is living and active and sharper than a double edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12
It speaks fresh every time we read it. How amazing is that!
“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14
Honestly, I cannot go a single day without His Word. It is a balm to my weary soul.
It is not because I am a super Christian, it is because I am LOST without Him. I desperately need His Instructions. I desperately need His Wisdom.
12 years of reading His Word has done something to my heart that could not have been done otherwise.
His Word softens my heart.
His Word gives me new vision.
His Word helps me to see what He sees.
His Word enables me to love when it is impossible to love.
His Word convicts me of sin and draws me back to His arms.
His Word directs my steps—and oh how I need direction!
His Word has taught me about parenting, and marriage, and friendship.
His Word has comforted me through endless tears and laments.
His Word has become my LIFELINE.
He speaks through His Word.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1
For many years before I began reading God’s Word, I did countless bible studies.
I had devotionals stacked on my bedside table that I would read daily.
However, something was still missing.
I had this emptiness that I could not define.
Something just wasn’t clicking.
I remember praying and asking God, “What am I missing? I just feel incomplete, Lord.”
When we talk to Him, He answers.
He sweetly showed me that I had been drinking milk from a bottle and it was time for solid food.
It was time for the Bread of Life—
God’s Word.
I realized that I was always getting His Word second hand, and never from Him!
It was a revelation that could only come from God.
From that moment on, I found a reading plan from my Church and began reading it. Day by day, month by month.
I needed accountability, so I asked several friends to join me. They did.
12 years later, here we are.
Still reading God’s Word.
Still being changed.
Do you feel like something is missing in your life as well?
Oh, how I get it.
His Word is our EVERYTHING.
It is how we get to know Jesus, our Savior.
It is how we learn how to walk out our faith.
It gives us wisdom in a world that desperately lacks wisdom.
It enables us to see what HE sees.
Truly, I would be lost without His Word.
12 years and still going,
jill
