I have read the Bible through quite a few times. Yes. The whole way through. From Genesis to Revelation. I have done it the "traditional" way my Daddy does it: three chapters Monday through Saturday and five on Sunday. I have done it using a Bible designed for daily Bible readings -- one was set up to have a bit of the Old and New Testament each day combined with a Psalm and Proverb, and one was designed to just be read through, but was arrange chronologically instead of the typical way a Bible is printed. One year, I actually read it through in only three months (check out those plans online -- they're pretty intense, but it's very doable). Each way of reading it through has its perks. I hadn't accomplished this in several years, though. I let mommyhood and the general busyness of life take over and convince me that I just didn't have the time. As this year was beginning, I realized that I missed it. I love reading all the way through, stumbling across things I had somehow overlooked in the past, refreshing my memory on stories I thought I knew, seeing the way God works it all out in the end. So, January 2nd (oops, I missed a day while moving boxes to my new house), I picked up my Bible and started at the beginning once more.
This year, I am using my journaling Bible. The first time I saw Bible journaling, I was skeptical. Why were these people drawing in their Bibles? What was the point? But the more examples I saw (thank you, Pinterest!), the more it spoke to me. I am not one to cover the words with my art. Nor do I just draw pretty pictures that have nothing to do with the verses. I want what I draw in my margins to add meaning to it when I see it again, to help me visualize it as I study, to illustrate it, and help tug my memory so that I can remember it more. I don't consider Bible journaling "studying." But I do think it helps me. As I take my colored pencils and pens to the paper, I am focused on that verse. What does it actually mean? What will best show it? How on earth can I take my meager skills and try to mimic the amazing artistry of the perfect artist -- God? I also believe that the more ways you focus on a verse, the better it will stick with you and you can learn it. By reading it to myself, sometimes reading it out loud, writing it, and drawing it, that's four different ways I am repeating it in my head. If I just read it, that's only one. Also, I love how pretty it looks in the end. I think my biggest problem with this trend is probably going to be convincing my three-year-old that even though Mommy draws in her Bible, the child doesn't need to follow suit ... at least not yet! Ha! So, however you choose to dive into God's word this year, I hope you do choose to spend at least a few minutes a day with Him. The more time we spend with Him, the more we can know Him and the better we can trust Him. And that's definitely what I want in my year. How about you?
2 Comments
Belinda Self
1/16/2018 09:21:16 pm
Thank you for sharing this idea of journaling. I, too, have seen people journaling. As pretty as it is, I wasn't sure how it would enhance my study. I finally get it with your explanation and can see how this would help. It has taken a while for me to even to underline and make little notes in my Bible. Being old school, it will take some getting used to writing and drawing in my Bible. Thanks again for your insight.
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Amy
1/16/2018 09:25:39 pm
Belinda, thanks for your comment. I totally understand your hesitation. I think it especially just speaks to the artist in me. I am glad this made sense to you. :-)
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This is a place for me to share thoughts and ideas not just related to writing. Thoughts about what's going on in my life, about an idea I got that I thought shareworthy, or just a funny anecdote.
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