Finding Peace in the Word!
Over the past few years I have honestly rarely opened my bible, (at least to actually delve into reading it). I would vicariously read about the saints, (my favorite!) the spiritual life, attend studies on our Catechism & the faith such as Blessed is She studies, attend mass etc., all which had the Word of God sprinkled within them, but like I heard on a recent podcast with Father Josh Johnson, “there is nothing like actually reading the word of God!” I remember growing up in a house where my Dad left the Bible open on the kitchen counter, and I remember one summer being 18 and determined to read the Bible in entirety! (which I did, but mostly to “cross it off the list that I had read it.”) I’m not exactly sure where I failed to prioritize reading the word; I prioritized my own personal booklists or rationalized that I was getting “enough,” of it already. Yet, God did not fail to slowly plant the seeds to draw me back. I remember hearing a mom friend say how she had read through the whole bible in a year, and it was almost the competitive nature that made me say, “I can do that too!” But then I would hold my brand new bible, unhighlighted, unread, and get discouraged. I wanted a plan, but then I didn’t want to follow the ones I found! Finally, God used the shutdown to lead me to His word. Unable to check out my library booklists, I made it threw my lists and was down to my Bible. As I started feeling better in my second pregnancy trimester, I finally made the decision to just go for it. I’m honestly not sure what made me start where I did, but I choose the book of Proverbs. I didn’t have an exact method, but I had a highlighter in hand and kept in mind the “lectio divina” practice I knew. Over the past few weeks, I had read through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs & the book of Wisdom! & just started Sirach yesterday! I share with you as the testimony of how reading daily scripture has been bringing me SO MUCH peace. Reading God’s promises to us, understanding how personal & timeless His messages are to us, His beloved people, is EXACTLY what we need to be doing today. I only wish I started sooner, but I know His timing is always perfect, and He will always be patiently waiting for us :)
Here are my 3 tips to start:
1). Pick any book. It honestly doesn’t have to be any rhyme or reason, just pick something. The book of Proverbs is great, or any gospel account. Just pick one. Even if you read one line a day, the Lord will use that. Many stick to one chapter a day, one paragraph a day, or use a bible app to follow. Of course you can follow the daily readings of the Church as well, but whatever you choose, make it be YOU holding YOUR own Bible.
2). Use a highlighter, pen or journal. I use all three ;) but give yourself permission to write in your bible, highlight it, mark it ALL up. Keep a journal to write down your favorite verses after you read, or something that you think the Lord was speaking to you through them. I remember the quote, “A Bible falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” My beautifully kept Bible wasn’t getting me anywhere.
3). Join a women’s bible study, social media Bible group, or tell a friend. Bringing in some type of community, whatever is the least overwhelming for you. I’m so thankful for the Bible studies I have been apart of (shout of Walking with Purpose!) but during some of those seasons of my life, it felt like more pressure to dive into things I wasn’t ready for, or overwhelming in a group setting to be more ignorant than others (which sounds prideful but that’s ok!) God will wait for you. So even if it’s just telling one trusted friend, enter into some type of Bible accountability so you are not alone. You don’t need to follow an official study if you don’t want to. God will speak to you and honor your time opening your bible.
With all of things on our lists this summer, all of the things we are navigating, there is never a better time to start reading the Bible. You will not regret one single minute of your attempts, and I truly believe it is where we will find the peace and answers we are all looking for. You can look back on this summer and can say, “that was the summer God spoke to me through His word in ____.”
In the words of one of my favorite memes;
“Girl, read your bible. You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights, take all the trips, trash all that doesn’t spark joy, wash your face, and hustle like mad, but if you don’t rest your soul in Jesus, you’ll never find peace & purpose.”
