“Look for the wonder.” This is the thought that came to my mind this week as I prepared to read the book of Luke. It has been so long since I have really taken time in God’s Word. A verse here or there, a passage of Scripture studied on Sunday morning, lyrics from a worship song, but my quiet times had become nearly nonexistent over the past few months.
No Excuses
Now that I am no longer homeschooling, there is definitely no excuse for me not having time to read my Bible, but a lack of routine meant that my quiet times were still slipping through the cracks of my disjointed days.
Finally, I determined to put some parameters in place for my days. It started with a podcast about waking up before my children in order to accomplish three main tasks: God, Plan, Move. I am happy to say that I have had some success with the first two. Maybe next week, I’ll begin incorporating exercise, too.
Look for the Wonder
Still, coming back to the Bible after such an extended absence, I felt a little disconnected and, honestly, disinterested. An Oswald Chambers reading prompted me to start with the book of Luke, and as I paged over to it, I considered skipping the first couple of chapters. They are so familiar, and besides, I thought, why read the Christmas story in September?
At that moment, “Look for the wonder” dropped into my mind. I determined right then to commit to reading all of Luke- every familiar word of it- keeping my eyes and heart open to the wonder of God as I read.
To avoid setting myself up for failure, I didn’t give myself a reading plan or a deadline to finish by. I simply began with the intention to read until I finished Luke, hoping that, in the process, I would rediscover and fall in love with Jesus and His Word once more.
Delighting in God’s Word
I cannot tell you how rich the past few days have been since I made this decision! I’m still in chapter one, but I have pages of notes chronicling the wondrous works of God found in just the first 45 verses. What was once too familiar to read has become a treasure trove. Luke 1 contains the power of God, the faithful obedience of those who trust Him, and the perfection of His plan to bring salvation to the world.
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
Facing Setbacks
Today, though, I overslept, and missed my morning quiet time. As the day finally wound down and the kids settled in their beds, I gathered my bible, notebook, pen, and Oswald Chambers’ book, and I looked for the wonder once more. It should come as no surprise that I found it, and yet God’s Word continues to be a marvel to me. In the last verse I read, Elizabeth proclaims, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
I believe God whispered, “Look for the wonder” to me that day, and He has been faithful to reveal it to me ever since.
Encouragement for You
Do you have trouble reading the Bible? Does it seem like a foreign language? Does it seem dry or too familiar, as it did for me? I hope that my encouragement to “Look for the wonder” will help you grow in anticipation as you open your Bible today.
Ask God to show Himself to you as you read. I am always humbled and amazed at God’s grace to meet me, especially when I have neglected my time with Him. He wants to be in relationship with us, to empower and encourage and love us through His Word.
Share what you’ve read today in the comments.
Priscilla says
Hi Aimee, thanks for the encouragement! I read some books in the Bible and get excited (Ester, Ruth, 1 and 2 Corinthians are some of my faves), but I am reading Ezekiel right now and find it tough to get through.