Redefining My Love for God

I love to read, it’s something I’ve loved since I was a child. I would spend hours at the library, so much that librarians knew me by first name. I love books so much I will buy a book before I buy food. I’ve always been the type to have a book with me, to eagerly wait for releases of new books, be super glued to a good book, the type that literally can’t think of anything else until I finish a particular book. My brother even said to me once that he knows not to speak to me when I get that way. All because I like to learn, I’m learner, I like learning about new things, being knowledgeable.

However, it somehow baffles me that, even though I love books and see myself as a Christian, I have never fully devoted myself to reading the Bible. Yes, I will read passages here and there, read the books of Genesis and Mathew… but I am never eager, glued to it as I am with books of this world. Does that truly show that I love God as much as I say I do? I mean I love to read, I love books, I love God…but how come in my 22 years of living, and most lived consciously identifying myself as a Christian, I have not truly devoted myself to reading the book of God, learning knowledge of his ways and people?

I am learning that even though many of us claim to love God, our actions show otherwise. We are what we do. We spend our time with those we love, doing things we love, and doing things that we know will bring joy to those we love. Therefore if we love God, we have to spend time with Him, praying and reading his word. If I claim to love him (which I do) I can not place more value and love into other books, while ignoring His.

I have started to devote myself to actively read more of his word and be eager to learn about him. In all honestly, I must say that with the little that I have been doing for the past few months, I can surely feel a difference in the joy and peace I gain from his word. No other book tops that.

As the new year comes along, I know that a lot of us have a goal to get closer to God, and I know that we can’t closer to him if we don’t devote time to reading his word and about him. In June 2019 I set a goal (and challenge for you all) to read a book a month for the year 2019/2020, I am now adding daily commitment of reading chapter from the Bible per day to this journey. No means to rush, please take time to understand the word of God in your own timeline, but let us make the commitment to read more of his words too.

It’s not an easy task, but we all know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)

Book of the month: “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

Podcast to listen: “Ten Minute Bible Talks” by Keith Simon & Patrick Miller (available on Spotify & podcasts)

Quote: “People who are forgiven learn to love more” Anonymous