In these crazy times, I have been doing what I can to stay lifted and feeling the need to spend more in-depth time with God. Seeing all that has happened in Afghanistan is so eye-opening. Especially as a Christian, where I am free to worship the 1 true and living God. We must pray for the nation and the people of Afghanistan and the Christians there in hiding. Let’s not take their pain lightly and our freedom for granted. Let truly press in prayer and the word of God. If I am honest, I went through a dry season the past few months of just feeling like, “Hello God, it’s me… can you call me back? I see you left my text message on read!” Yeah, it’s been that kind of season. I didn’t feel comfortable popping up with weekly words that may have been biblically sound but not Spirit-led, so I took a long break from blogging. As I urge you to really take advantage of the freedom you have to read your bible or worship God, you may feel resistance. Like me, It may have lost its luster to you too! BUT, as I crawl out of this dry season, I will say that I have learned a thing or two, and I’m going there with thing one today; why the Bible seems Irrelevant… to you.
YOUR BIBLE IS DUSTY. At the beginning of what would eventually turn into a dry season, I had no desire or “no time” to read the word. I would go days, maybe 2 weeks or so, without picking up the word except on Sunday. When I did pick up the Bible, it felt like lifeless words on pages. Yet, we know the Word of God is far from lifeless because scripture contest:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God should engage your thoughts, your heart, your desires. As you read the Bible, there should be a sense of conviction, confirmation, or a new revelation. The key to experiencing this is consistency. Think of it in the context of the scripture we just read. The Word of God IS a sword. If someone just poked you with a sword, would that poke have a lasting impact on you? Probably not. But if someone pierced or stabbed you, the impact could mean life or death. This is what God wants to do! He wants to pierce you. He wants to put you in a position where you realize you only have 2 options: life or death, flesh or spirit, hoping you will choose life. He can’t do that if we only get poked on Sunday or a verse here and there. We have to remain fixed in the word daily so that we can experience the piercing of God. If you feel like the words on the pages are lifeless, stay in the Word until you are pierced.
YOU ARE NOT CONNECTED. I can honestly say to anyone that reading the Bible is easy for me, but only when I am receiving revelation. Other than that, it is a bit hard to understand. This is why the Holy Spirit is so helpful! Are you connected to the one that reveals all truth? The Holy Spirit is the only one who can bring you the pure revelation of the Word, or any subject for that matter. It is Jesus who has sent the Holy Spirit to help us in this way. Jesus says, “I am the vine… you are the branch… apart from me you can do nothing” Heavy on the “you can do nothing…”. To even understand the bible to its fullest, we must be connected. Is there an area in your life that has weakened your connection? Have you come with a repentant heart? Are you feeling ashamed? Sometimes issues like these can cause us to be disconnected if we allow them to go on too long. Fortunately, we have access to come back to the father, and He is quick to forgive us. Other times, it may not be that you are disconnected, but you don’t know Him. Salvation is given when you believe in Him, but you must build a relationship with Him to know Him. One thing for sure, the Bible says as you draw close to Him, he will draw close to you. So even when you don’t understand, or you don’t feel it, keep drawing close. God acknowledges the tugging of His children and the lost.
YOU ARE DISTRACTED. I can almost pinpoint when the dry season started for me. It was during a time of great distraction. I began to take an interest in movements and issues that God did not call me to. I felt a lot of emotion and drive at the time, but God was not the source of my drive and emotion, so it eventually became unsustainable. At the end of it all, I felt drained, confused, and overwhelmed. I turned to God. He began to show me how He wasn’t in the things that I was doing. He wasn’t in the thoughts I’d been thinking, the conclusions I’d come to, the narrative I’d given into, or my responses. By the time I realized it, I‘d wasted so much time focusing on the wrong things that I had missed opportunities to be focused on Him and my own calling. It wasn’t that God wasn’t speaking to me. I wasn’t looking at Him. I wasn’t speaking to Him. So I say this to question, what is distracting you? Is it work, a purpose you weren’t called to, a relationship, social media… what is it? Are you checking in with God on these things, or are you checking in with the god you created in your head that approves of everything you feel, say, and do? Guilty ok!🙋🏾♀️ If we want to hear God and receive from God, we must be sensitive and attentive in every way to Him. Distraction hinders our desire, our understanding of the Word, AND our intimacy with God.
Consistency is Key. Connection is Key. Focus is Key. These are the tips that have helped me get back on track. If you desire God, go after Him with everything in you. He desires you back. 🤍 The Word of God has so many benefits; it would only be harmful to you to miss out on the wisdom, healing, correction, and instruction that God has given to us. As always, it’s an honor to share Jesus with you guys. Look to Him, not me. Follow Him, not me. I’m glad to be a support system for you, but I am nothing compared to the source. So read yo bible and meditate on it, sis! 😉Thanks for reading! Pray for Afghanistan and take nothing we have here for granted.
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