Yesterday, as I took my children to school, I noticed one of my friends quickening her step as I approached.
“How’s your reading coming along?” I asked.
“Not well. I was good for a two days, but it is just too hard with work and…” her voice trailed off as she cruised down the hall.
“Uh-oh.” I thought to myself. “Am I now one of those people that the sight of brings guilt feelings? Yikes!”
And then I thought about how frustrated she must feel. And then I thought of all of you in blogland that I don’t see at school or in the grocery store or, well, anywhere except here.
And I wondered…How are YOU doing on your reading?
Reading the Bible straight through is a challenge, whether you decide to do it in 90 days, 365 days or just over your lifetime. The enemy doesn’t want you to do it and he knows you very, very well.
But you CAN do it. I know you can because I can only imagine that God wants you to do it.
Sure, it is hard work. But, even if you have already fallen way, WAY behind you can still catch back up. It isn’t too late. (And, by the way, if you haven’t even started yet you could still catch up, too, for another couple of days, anyhow.)
If you feel like it’s almost hopeless for you to catch up or do it at all, I would like to encourage you to pray about it and then put a new foot forward.
If you don’t think you can really do it, but want to, then do this: Commit to reading 12 (or 15, depending on where you are) pages a day for the next week and see how it goes. If you succeed, do it again. If you don’t, think about what kept you back and what changes you could make to achieve the goal.
Often, people participating in the program try to add the reading to their daily schedule. And that works for a few days… especially while the reading is exciting like it is in Genesis. But then all those other activities start calling and the reading gets a little more difficult and something has to give and then frustration sets in.
So if it’s getting tough for you, then think about why you feel it is important to read the Bible. If you haven’t yet, click over to Jack Modesett Jr.’s excellent message on that topic in the Week One Audio Message.
Once you know WHY YOU want to do this, write it down on a piece of paper and tape it on your bathroom mirror so you are greeted with it every morning. Or maybe tape it to your computer monitor or TV set… or whatever takes your extra minutes.
Then figure out what your reading can replace… because it has to replace something. God isn’t giving you an extra hour each day to do this. But He is giving you all you need.
And take your Bible with you EVERYWHERE. I was embarrassed in the beginning to do this my first time, but had I not, I don’t know that I would have succeeded. I read every chance I got. If your life is like mine, there are lots of tiny pockets of waiting time all over the place. And those 10 minute intervals really add up!
If you haven’t signed up yet for the weekly email messages from the Bible in 90 Days ministry, I would strongly recommend that, as well. Each email gives the day’s scheduled reading, a key verse to ponder, a little bit of encouragement and a few facts to help in your reading.
I know you have all those regular ‘chores’ to do, too. Are there ways you can make them easier and save time? Maybe you could try to prepare several meals in advance. My friend Jessica gives some great tips on make ahead meals here and here. Or maybe you can lower your standards on a few things until we finish, knowing that you’ll pick back up with a renewed spirit then.
Please don’t set yourself up for frustration. You CAN do this, but it does take some juggling.
I really want you to succeed in this because I know it changed my life, and I have seen how it has drastically changed others’ lives. Your reading of the Bible in 90 days WILL change you. And it might change those around you who see you reading it, as well.
Of course, though, like I said, I don’t want to be the one avoided in the hall or in the blogospere. If you struggle and give up, I will still be cheering for you. I will still be your friend. And I’ll still love you just as much. And who knows.. maybe you’ll decide another time to give it another try and really ROCK IT!
Just don’t give up yet… not until you are sure you want to let it go.
So… How is your reading coming along?
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