Settling In...
To Substack, a new year and the Bible.
It was only three days ago I hit publish here for the first time. In a strange way, it already feels like home. Who knew the internet had a corner with so many encouraging people sharing hope and inspiration through their words? For what it’s worth, hope is as much my word for the year as shift (see my previous post.) And in three days, I’ve hemmed and hawed (I’m claiming that as a real saying) over the title for this newsletter. I *think* I’ve settled on Seeking Hope (let’s hope…).
It encompasses so much of what I want for my life (and yours) - that we would take time every day to look for God, our living Hope, in everything we do, see, and in every circumstance we find ourselves. In a world where hope seems lost, as a follower of Christ, I know that’s not true. But honestly, and I’m being really honest here, it takes a daily (sometimes minute-by-minute) reminder to embrace that truth. Which brings me to the other thing I’m settling into this year - God’s word. (Insert gasp or audible sigh - that was me).
For the first time in my forty-six years, I’m committed (no, really) to reading the Bible all the way through, and I’m currently twenty-one days in. I’ve been down this road before and failed. (Spoiler: I’ve been down many roads before and failed.) I’m going to take a wild guess and assume someone else out there has done the same. Can we be friends? But this time feels different. This time is different. The difference is where I’m at. Not physically, and not even “spiritually,” because I don’t really like using that term. What’s changed is my heart and my desire to know God more. And after twenty days of being in His word, there is no going back. I can’t. I’m changing. I’m changed. And I want more of this. I want more of Him. I need this. I need Him.
For what it’s worth, and maybe from this farm wife, it’s not worth much, but it really is true. His word really is alive and active and cuts to the core, y’all. God’s word is literally life-giving. I’ve been thinking about the power of words since coming to this platform and why perhaps it seems to be such a safe, calming place. I think it has to do with the power of words and the power God gives them. He spoke the world into existence with words. (Genesis 1) Words have the power of life and death. (Proverbs 18:21) We will be held accountable for every word we’ve spoken - ouch. (Matthew 12:36)
Words should matter to us because they matter to God.
It’s in His word we find life. It’s in His word that I’m finding myself. Not as in who I am to me, but who I am to Him. In His word I’m finding comfort. In His word I’m finding assurance in an unstable world. In His word I’m finding peace. In His word I’m finding just how awesome God is and how unworthy I am to be loved by Him. In His word I’m finding Hope on every. single. page. In His word, you’ll find the same.
I’m going through the Bible Recap chronological plan for the year, and it’s as great as I had heard it was. Tara-Leigh Cobble does a super job summarizing each day (I’ve learned so much I never knew or understood - how about those Nephilim and oh my gosh, Jesus appeared to Hagar as a Christophany! That one got me in all the feels.) If you’re looking for a plan to get through the Bible (even if it takes longer than a year - who even cares?!), I can recommend this one. (And only this one, since it’s the only one I’ve ever stuck with. 🙃) And if not, that’s ok, too. But please get in the word. The only Truth, telling the story about the only Peace you’ll ever know and the only Hope you’ll ever find. It’s good, y’all. It’s so good.
Keep seeking Hope,
m
I’ve started this journey as well. What started as a goal, to seek an accomplishment, to say that yes, I have read the entire Bible has became something even better! I’ve practiced quiet time with a devotional and journaling “daily” since 2020 and I’m proud of it or was proud of it, until I started this journey. I don’t think I’ve been doing my quiet time incorrectly, but now I see that I could’ve been doing it better. Truly reading to LEARN the Bible, having times of not understanding what I’m reading, feeling confused, praying for understanding and having aha moments has been transformational in just 25 days. I look forward to each day’s reading and the recap. I am excited to talk about it with a friend. I still can’t believe just how smart The Farmer is about the Bible! How does he know so much? He’s says it’s because he had great teachers, but for the most part, I’ve had the same teachers. Maybe, I just wasn’t listening?!?
This morning while LaLa’s Angel Boy (my grandchild) was napping, I did today’s reading. I found myself tearing up, not because of Jacob and Esau’s reunion, but because I was overwhelmed with gratitude of the blessings, that I don’t deserve, surrounding me, sleeping in the bouncer and open to Genesis in my lap.
Also, yes…I can’t believe how much I’ve already learned in 25 days or realizing just how much I didn’t know!
So, I’m certain that the accomplishment will not be being able to say that I’ve read the entire Bible, but finding that he’s where the JOY is.
Hey Meredith!! Welcome to Substack!! I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to read through the whole Bible and, well, failed. I started again at the beginning of this year and am already behind, but I will keep going. I am using the same book as you!! Keep encouraging us (me!). :)