Reduce the waistline, increase the bank account. Spend more time with the family, spend less time surfing the web. Increase time on the treadmill, decrease the cholesterol number. Physical, financial, social, professional. We can categorize them, but we just can’t seem to keep them. More of a “wish list” than a real commitment to change, the New Year’s resolution has become an annual tradition that we are quick to make and then quick to forget.
I want to challenge you to consider what may be the resolution that will help with all the others. I want you to resolve to read the Bible every day. I’m convinced that this habit will change your life. “How can I make such a claim?” you ask. Because that’s what it did for me. And if it changed my life, I think it will change yours, too.
Perhaps my personal story will help with the persuading. As a new bride, my husband and I moved to a new city, joined a new church, and found a new young married class to join. Two new friends that I made had a profound impact on my life. Their way of speaking, respect for others and attitudes about life in general seemed both admirable and inspirational. I pondered, “What makes the difference in their lives? We attend the same church, we’re all married to great guys, and we all love the Lord.” I realized that both Carol Anne and Donna spent time every single day reading the Bible. I decided that I would do likewise.
I describe the early days as “have to.” I have to do this every day. Daily Bible reading equated with daily flossing, making my bed, and taking my vitamins. All helpful and necessary, but not necessarily desirable. But gradually a remarkable change began to occur. I began to notice that something I had read in the morning had direct application to my life during the day. Bible reading became less of a duty and more of a delight. I began to read with anticipation and look for ways that the verses I read in the morning would be relevant to my afternoon.
Very subtly and almost imperceptibly, my attitude was transformed from “have to” to “want to.” Today, twenty-five years later, I have moved on still to a place I describe as “need to.” I don’t like the woman I am when I try to complete my daily responsibilities without spending time first in the Word of God. It really and truly changes my responses to others and my response to daily challenges. I’m confident it will do the same for you.
If you’ve read this far and I have convinced you, let me suggest a few ways to begin:
1. Choose one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) from the New Testament. Following the life of Jesus will bring great blessing. The Gospel of John is often recommended for new Christians. I love the book of Mark, which I call the “adventure” gospel.
2. Read the “Proverb of the Day.” Proverbs has 31 chapters, so there is one for each day of the month. This book is chocked full of practical advice for daily living.
3. Choose any book and read it through from beginning to end. You could alternate between a book in the New Testament and a book in the old.
A couple more words of caution as you proceed. First of all, don’t get hung up on the number of chapters or verses you read. Just read every day. And if you miss a day, extend grace to yourself. Don’t fall down the slippery slope of legalism.
Won’t you resolve to try something new this year? Rather than recycling the same old resolutions as before, resolve to try what may be something new. I hope you find, as I did, that the Bible changes everything.
Graphic attribution: http://dryicons.com/free-graphics/preview/new-year-2011/
Editor’s Note: This article is also published this month in NWA Metro Woman Magazine. You can see it here: http://www.themetrowoman.com/
Copyright 2011 Laura Macfarlan
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