Reading my bible. For some reason in the United States I had always thought of the Bible as something like a textbook. I could never just sit and read it. The bible was meant to be studied, analyzed, broken in to pieces ((which you can so do & you should)). I read my bible but it was always an ordeal. I needed to find a quiet space, have my pen, notebook, journal, worship music, etc. And somedays it would be great. I would choose a passage and God would totally speak to me. But other days I was left completely confused because I felt like if I didn’t have a plan or come out of it with a revelation I may as well had not tried.
One day we were in class at CSOW and one of the teacher’s, Geven, described the Bible as a love letter. It took me a day or two to really let that sink in. A love letter?? I had always thought of it as a textbook? Something required, like homework, necessary for growth but not a loveeee letter? Aren’t love letters supposed to make you feel warm and gooey inside? Make your stomach feel the good kind of butterflies? Make you feel like you’re glowing and grin from ear to ear?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the Bible. I find comfort in it and it is probs the most quotable book out there (which if you know me, you know I love quotes) but it was always so daunting the way that people described studying it.
Y’all reading the Bible is so simple. You can just sit there and read it. I know!!! Crazy right?? It’s a literal love story. With battles and songs and super awesome quotes and a total hero (Jesus) with lots of sinners like us (hello disciples.) Sometimes it sounds a little impossible but come on, if you really know Jesus you know impossible is only the beginning. So you know what I’ve begun to do? Every morning, I sit and I read. I don’t write down and over analyze. I just take it in for what it is. Because the Bible is really freaking great dude. And if you haven’t read it in a while I 10/10 would recommend sitting and reading it. For just like 10 minutes.
Lord knows I probably sit on social media more than I spend time diving into His word. But you want to know a secret? After I finish reading my bible I feel an unexplainable peace. And after I scroll through social media, well, I feel a little empty and drained. I love social media as much as the next girl (maybe even a little more, LOL) but the devil feeds on our need for approval and unfortunate tendency to compare our lives to someone else’s. But seriously when I’m finished reading my bible I feel entertained, full, and so unbelievably loved. I close the book with eternal truths engrained in me that social media can not break me from. Just by reading it. God wants you to learn more about Him. He wants to talk to you through the Bible. He wants you to just, simply, sit down & read it. Like a love letter from your best friend. Because He wants to be your best friend!!!! How cool that the creator of the whole huge enormous universe wants to be our friend!!!
Hope all is well with you!!!!! Your prayers, comments, texts & emails are SOOOOOO appreciated and motivating. The Lord is everywhere!!!! Here with me in India and with you wherever you are <3 <3 <3
Blessings&Hugs&Kisses,
Payson
