Well, I purposely finished up the readings a couple of days early since I am heading out to California this afternoon and will not have internet access until January 2. I am so glad that I took this on in 2009. I will confess that there were days when I felt like the reading was just something to mark off my list for the day. When I felt this way, I was usually convicted that this is not at all how God wants me to view His word. But the end result in my opinion is that it was so TOTALLY worth it. I feel like I have a good picture of God's relationship with man, and with me. Like I said, the Bible is one long story of God's pursuit of us. He loves us so stinking much and everything good or bad that happened along the way was for that ultimate reason. There is a 'plot' that blows away any fiction book that I have ever read...and I have read some good ones. And what makes it even better is that I see myself in the story! I can't claim that for any other book I have read.
So now what? Well, I am kind of certain that no one else is reading this blog anymore. But it serves more as a journal for me and I am okay with that. I am going to begin again in Genesis. I am considering reading the Message translation this time, partly because I want something a little different and partly because I want to do it without relying on my study Bible footnotes so much. I did love the chronological journey, so I will stick with that.
I would love to drag some others with me on the journey...for no other reason but to bless their lives as well.
Maybe someday my kids will read my ramblings as they take on reading the whole Bible. That would be really cool. (Not so much my ramblings, but that they are deep in the Word!)
God, thank you so much for the gift of the Bible. I cannot imagine how we would be stumbling along through life if we did not have it. Thank you for showing me things this year. I know there is more you want me to see and I am ready and eager! I love you, too.
Awesome job Beth and way to stick it out the whole year!! Even if I wasn't able to keep up with all the reading, I still enjoyed checking in and reading your thoughts from time to time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reflections with us and you went through this journey. I look forward to version 2.0
ReplyDeleteJenn