I am currently on my third iteration of reading the Bible in a year. A small group of men and I read daily and are currently on day 219. Ok, full disclosure, and I’m sure Stu will be quick to point this out, I am one day behind. The beauty of the app we use is we can see each other’s progress. I’ll catch up today!
The lessons learned and blessings of daily being in God’s Word are significant. But there are also a few things I have learned through the Bible in a year PROCESS.
- Accountability is more powerful than my discipline or any effort I am capable of without my group of dudes. PERIOD!
- I attempted, on my own, to read through the Bible in a year for approximately 18 years before doing so. I had varying degrees of success, ranging from reading for months to reading for a few days before getting behind, and eventually giving up.
- Since committing with a group, we have successfully read the Bible in its entirety the last three years.
- Committing daily to doing something beneficial is, well, beneficial. It doesn’t have to be the Bible, but intentionally spending time, preferably to start the day, doing something that puts you in a good mindset and begins your day with a victory is meaningful, valuable, and POWERFUL!
- To live your highest and best, you must truthfully analyze where you spend your time, and honestly determine if your offering of time is worthy of who you want to be and what you desire from life.
To this past point, I read a verse this morning that profoundly struck me. The verse if from the Old Testament, at a time when animal sacrifice was societally and ritually normal, acceptable, and expected. The Israelites were dishonoring God through the quality of their offering, and He challenges them in their disgrace. The verse is Malachi 1:8, which says, “When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!”
This verse forced me to question my offerings. Do I honor the most important things in my life with actions, not just words? Do I give as much time, effort, GRACE, kindness, and patience to those I most love as I do to acquaintances and strangers? Do I spend TIME and ENERGY on my deepest desires, or do I just “want to have…” and “wish I was…”?
Be honest with yourself and find others who will speak loving truth in your life so you can be on your way to your highest and best!
Written by David Gutierrez
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