I try very hard to do some sort of Bible reading everyday. Sometimes I read a chapter, sometimes several chapters, and sometimes only a few verses. Many times I find that when I sit down to read the Scriptures I struggle to stay focused on the reading at hand. The reading is not usually difficult, and it is not boring, and it is something that applies to me as I live my daily life. So why do I struggle so much?
I know that often times I begin reading the Scriptures with the wrong mindset. What exactly do I mean by that statement? Let me explain further.
Many activities in life do not require our full attention or priority. For instance, reading an article on the internet or reading the newspaper does not require my full attention. If I skim over these types of articles, I can usually get everything I want out of them without taking the time to thoroughly read every line. However, reading the Scriptures should involve a carefully scrutiny of the text, unlike casual reading.
Another way I do not approach reading the Scriptures with the right mindset is by waiting until the end of the day to read the Bible. If I wait until I am exhausted from my day’s activities to read the Scriptures, am I truly devoting my all to God?
I know that I need a different mindset when it comes to things dealing with Christianity. In other areas and activities in life, I have learned to save time by putting forth only a minimum amount of effort. However, this is NOT the right way to handle things concerning my obedience to the Lord. I need to place my full attention and priority on serving Him completely, according to His Word. These are issues that I deal with in my walk with God. I need to remember that when I am reading the Bible I am not simply reading another article in the newspaper or in a magazine, I am reading the Word of God.
See the related article, “The Word of God, not of Men.”