I wish my life didn’t involve so much ‘chasing after the wind’.  As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes chapters 1 and 2.  I have a secret I’d like to share with you.  Many years ago, I made a commitment to read the Bible from cover to cover in the new year.  A Roman Catholic priest friend said that he’d like to also.  But a Lutheran pastor friend said that he had read the Bible through a few times.  Well, he wasn’t going to get one up on us!  No way!

I found a Bible-in-a-Year reading calendar and started out with Genesis, Psalms and Luke.  Two Old Testament and one New Testament every day.   If followed, I’d read from Genesis to Revelation by December 31st!   Now,  I knew that there would be some days when that would not be possible, but also that God was understanding.  Nevertheless, I really tried my best to stick to that schedule of Bible reading.  Every day with Him in the Bible.  Day by day, week by week, month by month, I was navigating through the entire Bible.

I didn’t notice anything different for awhile, but change was coming into my life.  And I don’t mean nickels, dimes and quarters, either!   You see, I was moving from Ecclesiastes 1:6-‘The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course’–to Ecclesiastes 2:26-‘To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…’  From wind that blows here, there and who-knows-where; to God’s wisdom that anchors me firmly in Him.

Guess what?  I accomplished my goal–read the entire Bible that year!  Almost 30 years later, I’m still at it!  Every year–every book and letter, every chapter and verse.  Won’t stop.  Too much to lose.  Won’t stop.  Too much to gain…by staying with Him in His Word.

Up for the challenge?  In this new year, how about reading your Bible from cover to cover?  Or listening to it on CD?  Or on one of your digital devices(whatever that may be!)!  But don’t say I’ll do it…do it!  A good place to find a number of daily Bible reading schedules would be on the internet, at of all places, ‘Daily Bible Reading Schedules’!  Even I found that!  Have fun looking.  Find one that interests you.  Then go for it.  Do it!  Begin today.  And get ready to notice that life is changing for you…with Him!

Prayer:  Lord, we want to get close to you.  Help us to open our Bibles every day as we open our hearts to you as well.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.