The two months since my last post have been ones of sweet stretching and resolved perseverance.
While some of the fuzzy feelings that accompany deep seasons of growth have worn off a little, I’ve continued to look to the Word for who God is. When I can’t seem to find anything in myself to say, I read the words He says about Himself, and I say them back to Him. And the more I do that, the more I seem to believe those words. His version of Truth (which, by the way, is the only acceptable version) is becoming louder in my ears than my version. And at the heart of it, that’s what I want: for His voice to be louder than mine or anyone else’s voice.
This is the time of year when people make all kinds of resolutions for the next twelve months. Many of our resolutions are cast aside by mid-February as we slip back into the familiar and counter-intuitive ruts of busy-ness and laziness. I certainly do have about ten pounds that I’d like to lose in time for my sister-in-law’s wedding in May. I’d like to speak with more compassion, listen more attentively, and overall to serve more the people in my life that I hope to reach with Christ.
But if I could in any way encourage you to break ground on the resolution to read the Word daily, I would do it. I’ve long-held this “habit” of Bible study, and as you know from previous posts it has sustained me through desperate times and taught me perseverance through dry spells. I’m not telling you that you must read your Bible every day to be a good Christian whom God loves the most. This is utter foolishness, and there is no room for Pharisaical admonishments when it comes to needing to know God through His Word. What I’m telling you is that when you begin to feast on the Word, you will find yourself hungering for more and more of it. If God’s primary way of revealing Himself is through the person and work of Jesus Christ, then shouldn’t we prize deeply the words He spoke to tell us about it all?
These past couple of weeks I’ve glutted my mind with other good reading material as well, and I can’t recommend highly enough books like Sarah Hagerty’s Every Bitter Thing is Sweet (I feel like she read all of my journals), Jen Hatmaker’s Interrupted, (on sale for Kindle at Amazon for $1.99 right now; and P.S. I can’t even talk about this book yet because I’m still processing and praying big things for our small ministry…things I’m afraid to put on paper at this point), and my current read: Jennie Allen’s Restless.
I can’t remember the last time my mind felt so full of good things, nor the last time my heart felt compelled to do more with what I’m learning. It spills out in conversations (which I always word much more poorly when speaking them as opposed to writing them. I think I ruin things when I speak out loud!) and makes me feel both awkward and free. I’m not sure how I can feel both things simultaneously, but I do.
I’m anxious to put into words this year the things God has been teaching me, is teaching me, and will continue to teach me (Lord willing). I want my life to touch others with words, with service, with compassion.
My source for all of these things = Jesus.
I want to know Him more–He who gave so much to set me free.
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence (P&R) and Everyday Faithfulness (Crossway), and Memorizing Scripture (Moody). Glenna is the social media manager for Practical Shepherding Women. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
erin says
I have been wanting to read the first to books you mentioned and will definitely have to make sure to do so now. The only thing I hope to accomplish this year is to read God's Word daily. That's it. I figure if I can do that, so much good will overflow out of that. And even if not, I won't have wasted my time!