We are a few short weeks away from the new year. It is hard to believe how fast the year has flown. As we box up tinsel and put away the lights, our minds are busy setting goals, chasing dreams, and wishing with great hope for what the new year might bring.
Goals are what my organized brain loves. It gives me something to focus on, to work toward in the year to come. In the past, I have resolved to lose a few pounds, be nicer, worry less, write a book, drink more water … you name it and I have resolved to do it.
In the last few years, however, I have longed to make more meaningful goals. The kind that will help me grow closer to God and be a better human in this dark world around us.
If our goals reflect what’s important to us, they should be ones that make us better people.
In my opinion, there is no greater goal or resolution to set for our lives than to be in God’s word each day. Out of that time and commitment flows what we need to function well in this life. Timothy says it best, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We need God’s Word to instruct us on how to be Christ-followers.
The word of God is our anchor, teacher, corrector, and trainer in the faith. If it sits idly on our bookshelves how can we expect to know the truth of God? How can we know how to live life rightly?
Just like the instruction manual is needed to help us put together that new piece of furniture, we need instruction about how we are to live. Without it, we will flounder.
As we try to implement time in God’s Word into our every day we may have to change up our priorities. Our lives will always reflect what is truly important to us because we will always make time for what we love.
We fill up grand to-do lists with so many things that need to be done but we often forget the most important things. The tasks that should be done daily that help us to grow. As believers, there is no better place to grow than by opening God’s Word.
One of the things we say more than any other when asked what our biggest struggle is when it comes to reading our Bibles is time. We often say we don’t have enough time, don’t know how to make the time, etc.
The truth may land heavy on us, but it is something that we need to hear: we have the time, we must choose to take it. If we ride in the car, then we have time to listen to the Word read to us. If we have laundry to fold, then we have time to listen to the Word read to us. If we sit quietly for five minutes over a cup of coffee, then we have time to open our Bibles. If we have time to read novels at night before bed, then we have time to read our Bibles.
There is time, we must be willing to look and listen for it within our day. If we are certain there is none then we must be willing to ask God to help us find it.
Tools can change how we approach our time in the Word. I always recommend grabbing a Bible in a version that you find readable. I like using the New Living Translation for the most readability. I also love the English Standard Version or the Christian Standard Bible.
God has gifted us with so many beautiful Bible versions to help us get the most out of our Bible study time. As a bonus, grab a new journal and fun pens to jot down the work that God is doing in your heart.
Another tool that you may find helpful is a commentary or a good study Bible. Having study notes can be helpful if you are studying God’s word deeply. My two favorite study Bibles are the ESV and CSB study Bibles, the notes are easy to understand and helpful in opening your eyes even more to God’s word.
Often when we sit down to open God’s word, we bring our expectations. We see how others study and try to duplicate it. The truth is though, we each study God’s word in our way and they cannot be compared.
You may be a copious note-taker, or you’re not one for notes at all. Maybe you love to write in your Bible, or maybe that is something you don’t want to do. However, you study, do it with the purpose of knowing God more and seeing His story of redemption through every page.
When we study, we are not doing it to check off a box on our to-do list or to impress those around us. We are doing the personal work of growing closer to God through His word.
Being in God’s Word helps us grow to be more like Christ.
Being accountable to someone or a group can help keep us accountable to our commitment to being in God’s Word in the New Year. Ask a friend to join you in a year-long reading plan, join an online Bible study, or get a group of friends on board to read the Bible together.
It can be a challenge to begin spending time in God’s word every day alone without a little help. An accountability partner or study group can be exactly what you need. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend. Another great way to keep accountable would be creating a text group to check in daily with what everyone is reading in their Bibles.
Don’t make another superficial resolution or goal this new year. Choose to be in God’s word. Opening our Bibles each day will teach us so much about who God is, and when we know who God is we can faithfully live our lives in His light.
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Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com
Michelle Rabon is a wife and homeschooling mom of three who feels called to help women thrive in their walk with Jesus every day. In 2012, she started Displaying Grace, a ministry that is focused on helping women engage with God’s Word. Michelle has also served in women’s ministry for the past five years seeking to equip women in the local church through Bible study. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee.