I've heard the excuse so many times. In fact, there was a time in my life when I gave the excuse, because I thought it was the cool thing to do. The cool kids didn't do it and I didn't want to look like a nerd so I said it...
"I'm not a big reader. Books are boring."
I wasn't a big reader, unless you count comic books and Hardy Boys Mysteries. Reading was an occasional escape, but not as fun as tv, movies, drawing, or being outside riding my bike or climbing a tree. Part of my challenge was that I wasn't very fast or good at it. At one point my mom took me to a speed reading class to help me develop my skills. I hated it at the time, but now I couldn't be more thankful. Reading is not the chore it once was and I've gotten over the teenage social stigma of being a nerd or bookworm.
A big part of the change was when I stared reading the Bible for myself. I remember it ringing with truth even feeling like Jesus was finally becoming 3D to me. I saw my need for Him and I started to get hungry for God's word and anything else that would lead me to know Him better. That's how I saw God change my life. That's when I started to hear him calling me deeper with Him.
Getting into God's word is fundamental to our spiritual growth! Of course as James the half brother of Jesus reminds us, we can't just be hearers or the word, but we must be doers (James 1:22-25). Practicing cements the truth in our heart.
So what about you? Maybe you have given that excuse before. Maybe you don't like to read too much. Maybe you struggle with reading because you have dyslexia or another learning challenge. I hope you don't avoid it as an adult because you still feel nerdy for doing it (that's sillly). You may also just be lazy about it.
Whatever your situation, in our day and age we are blessed to have at our fingertips amazing resources that can help us take in God's word like never before. One such resource I wanted to point out is something that I have really enjoyed this last few months. I was feeling a little dry spiritually and knew it was because I wasn't in the Word as I should be so I opened up my YouVersion Bible app (which is available in about all the app stores. I even have it on my windows PC.) and began to listen... that's right... listen... to the Bible. They have an audio version of almost all of the translations/ paraphrases of the Bible! You can follow along or just let it run in the background. It has been such a blessing to me as I do learn a lot better when I have both audio and visual sources. Sometimes though, I'll just let it roll as I drive, work, eat, clean, or whatever! It has wet my appetite for God's Word once again. I pray that you will download the app yourself.
It has many other cool features like reading plans and daily verses of the day that can be emailed or texted to you to remind you to get in the Word. Churches are using it in there services more and more as you can have your own notes there or share outlines and track along with their events.
Really, there is no real excuse for not using something like this on your computer, phone, smart watch, iPod, iPad, or whatever! You can grow in your faith even if you aren't a big reader. Even if you have a hard time with listening, you can re-listen over and over. Why wouldn't you? If faith comes from hearing, then this is a great source.
I've been trekking through the Psalms lately in different versions and have been so blessed. In one day I made it through 90 Psalms - even repeating some. I just started Isaiah yesterday and am blazing through it. Understanding the whole better than just reading it on my own.
Finally, D.L. Moody said it well, and I quote only roughly, "either sin will keep you from the Word, or the Word will keep you from sin." That's good truth, use it to combat the excuses. God bless you as you grow in Him!
BTW - No, I'm not paid to promote this amazing app. It's free after all.
"I'm not a big reader. Books are boring."
I wasn't a big reader, unless you count comic books and Hardy Boys Mysteries. Reading was an occasional escape, but not as fun as tv, movies, drawing, or being outside riding my bike or climbing a tree. Part of my challenge was that I wasn't very fast or good at it. At one point my mom took me to a speed reading class to help me develop my skills. I hated it at the time, but now I couldn't be more thankful. Reading is not the chore it once was and I've gotten over the teenage social stigma of being a nerd or bookworm.
A big part of the change was when I stared reading the Bible for myself. I remember it ringing with truth even feeling like Jesus was finally becoming 3D to me. I saw my need for Him and I started to get hungry for God's word and anything else that would lead me to know Him better. That's how I saw God change my life. That's when I started to hear him calling me deeper with Him.
Getting into God's word is fundamental to our spiritual growth! Of course as James the half brother of Jesus reminds us, we can't just be hearers or the word, but we must be doers (James 1:22-25). Practicing cements the truth in our heart.
So what about you? Maybe you have given that excuse before. Maybe you don't like to read too much. Maybe you struggle with reading because you have dyslexia or another learning challenge. I hope you don't avoid it as an adult because you still feel nerdy for doing it (that's sillly). You may also just be lazy about it.
Whatever your situation, in our day and age we are blessed to have at our fingertips amazing resources that can help us take in God's word like never before. One such resource I wanted to point out is something that I have really enjoyed this last few months. I was feeling a little dry spiritually and knew it was because I wasn't in the Word as I should be so I opened up my YouVersion Bible app (which is available in about all the app stores. I even have it on my windows PC.) and began to listen... that's right... listen... to the Bible. They have an audio version of almost all of the translations/ paraphrases of the Bible! You can follow along or just let it run in the background. It has been such a blessing to me as I do learn a lot better when I have both audio and visual sources. Sometimes though, I'll just let it roll as I drive, work, eat, clean, or whatever! It has wet my appetite for God's Word once again. I pray that you will download the app yourself.
It has many other cool features like reading plans and daily verses of the day that can be emailed or texted to you to remind you to get in the Word. Churches are using it in there services more and more as you can have your own notes there or share outlines and track along with their events.
Really, there is no real excuse for not using something like this on your computer, phone, smart watch, iPod, iPad, or whatever! You can grow in your faith even if you aren't a big reader. Even if you have a hard time with listening, you can re-listen over and over. Why wouldn't you? If faith comes from hearing, then this is a great source.
I've been trekking through the Psalms lately in different versions and have been so blessed. In one day I made it through 90 Psalms - even repeating some. I just started Isaiah yesterday and am blazing through it. Understanding the whole better than just reading it on my own.
Finally, D.L. Moody said it well, and I quote only roughly, "either sin will keep you from the Word, or the Word will keep you from sin." That's good truth, use it to combat the excuses. God bless you as you grow in Him!
BTW - No, I'm not paid to promote this amazing app. It's free after all.