One of the things I used to tell myself all the time was that I didn’t have enough time to read the Bible. In my mind, if I wanted to be serious about Bible reading, I’d have to get up at 5 a.m. and read for an hour. Granted, my priorities were mixed up, because if there truly was no other choice than to get up early and read for an hour, if I’d really been serious about growing in my relationship with the Lord, I would have counted the cost and done it. But I told myself and others I was just “too busy.” That went on for several years.
What finally flipped the switch for me was suffering. I got really desperate after an intense season of loss and physical pain, so I went to my Bible to understand who God was if He wouldn’t change my circumstances. I began reading the Word and while God didn’t change my circumstances, He did change me.
In the many years since then, I’ve often been told my others that they don’t have time to read the Bible regularly. It’s one of the most common excuses I get now as a Bible teacher. It might be the thing holding you back right now. But I’m lovingly calling your bluff. You do have time to read the Bible. And so did I during all those years I swore I didn’t. Here’s how I know.
I conducted a little experiment recently. Using my phone, I timed how long it took me to read the entire book of James. Reading at a slightly slower pace than normal, I read all five chapters. It took seven-and-a-half minutes. Then, I reread chapter one. It took only ninety seconds.
Sometimes when we set out to start a new habit, especially a spiritual discipline, we strive to go from a 0 or 1 to a 9 or 10. That is a surefire way to go out too strong only to burned out in a matter of days or weeks. But here’s a thought: you don’t have to be a 10 right away. When it comes to Bible reading, whether you’re starting something new or refreshing something that has fizzled out, don’t strive to be a 9 or 10 at first. Shoot for a 5 or 6, maybe. What I mean is, don’t start out with an hour of Bible reading at 5 a.m. unless this is a really, really feasible plan for you. Most of us won’t benefit from a plan like that. Not because it wouldn’t be good for us (it would be) but because if we start out too strong too quickly, we’re very likely to quit. We don’t want Bible reading for two weeks at the beginning of every year followed by months and months of spiritual malnourishment. We want Bible reading for life.
If you’re avoiding regular Bible reading because you don’t think you have time, let me encourage you: you do have time. Read James. Read the whole book once or twice a day for a month. Read a chapter several times and write down what you learn. Then move on to the next chapter. And the next book. And the next. For life. Make Bible reading a non-negotiable habit and build your life around it. I promise, you have time. If you had time to read this article, you have time to read your Bible.
If you have time to read this article, you have time to read your Bible.
If you’re planning to kick off a Bible reading habit on January 1st, may I encourage you not to go out too hard, too big, or too presumptuously? Ordinary, steady, small faithful habits will grow into a lifetime of extraordinary faithfulness. The more you read and learn and pray, the more you’ll love it. And with time, your time in the Word will increase out of true desire. That’s what happened for me. Many months of fifteen minutes of faithful Bible reading each day evolved into a regular hour of study and prayer at 6 a.m. on most days. I love that time and guard it closely. But it didn’t start out that way. A small, doable start will lay the path for decades of daily time in the Word as well as life-transforming growth because God is kind and faithful to use our obedience for good.
So, as you consider your Bible reading habits for 2026, set an achievable goal. At the first of the year, start out with simply reading your Bible regularly. You do have time. You don’t have to go out too strong, though. Spiritual growth feels slow, but it’s good steady growth. You’re not sprinting for a few weeks. You’re plodding for life. And plodding is faithful.
Photo by Sylvain Brison on Unsplash
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and is the mother of two sons. She and her husband serve at Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri where they have served for over twenty years. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence, Everyday Faithfulness, Memorizing Scripture, and Known & Loved. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for her monthly newsletter.
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