I've been reading through Genesis and Matthew every morning with my friend, Sarah. We both have the NIV version, but unlike myself, who grew up with that, it's a very foreign translation for her. She's used to the KJV version, and so every verse is different to her. She commented the other day that sometimes she has to read really slowly, because nothing sounds like the way she's used to it sounding.
But I realized something, as we were sitting there reading our Bibles together - Sarah slow and methodical, and me blazing through it. Change is so important. So often we get into spiritual ruts - we go to church every week, we read the same translation of the Bible every day, we know all of the "Christian" answers to say. But when we get into a rut, it's so easy to forget why we're doing what we're doing, or what we're reading really says.
When I was in high school, I would try to buy a different translation of my Bible every year or so. It's amazing how much more you pay attention when you're not reading the same words you've read your whole life. But it's so much easier to read the same old words over and over again. We gloss over the details and tune out the meanings, but then rationalize that it's ok because we're still reading the Bible.
But God wants His word to be a fresh revelation to us every day. So I challenge you - change up your spiritual routine. Don't get stuck in a rut. Buy a different translation of the Bible. Go to the early service at church. Move your quiet time outside for a few days. His mercies are new every morning....don't live your life chewing on stale, worn-out revelations!
But I realized something, as we were sitting there reading our Bibles together - Sarah slow and methodical, and me blazing through it. Change is so important. So often we get into spiritual ruts - we go to church every week, we read the same translation of the Bible every day, we know all of the "Christian" answers to say. But when we get into a rut, it's so easy to forget why we're doing what we're doing, or what we're reading really says.
When I was in high school, I would try to buy a different translation of my Bible every year or so. It's amazing how much more you pay attention when you're not reading the same words you've read your whole life. But it's so much easier to read the same old words over and over again. We gloss over the details and tune out the meanings, but then rationalize that it's ok because we're still reading the Bible.
But God wants His word to be a fresh revelation to us every day. So I challenge you - change up your spiritual routine. Don't get stuck in a rut. Buy a different translation of the Bible. Go to the early service at church. Move your quiet time outside for a few days. His mercies are new every morning....don't live your life chewing on stale, worn-out revelations!
Proverbs 1:32-33
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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