A Righteous To-Do List
I heard an intriguing video devotional this morning that I’d like to share with you. At the time of writing this devotional, it is January 1st, 2024. Most people ponder their goals for the new year before it starts. I’ve never done that. I usually spend some time on the first day of the new year contemplating if there are accomplishments I’d like to pursue.
I had just finished going through a ‘Bible in a year’ plan and was trying to decide whether to do it again or find something new. I’ve heard my pastor and others suggest to pick a book of the Bible and dig into it but I didn’t feel like I had the big picture grasp of the entire Bible yet (one of my philosophies in life is to understand the big picture as the primary objective and then drill down to the details. With a career spent as an Actuary, that is, in my opinion, a critical skill to be successful).
Anyway, I was looking at my Bible app (because I’ve determined that I need a Bible with me at all times) and saw that it had daily devotional programs as well. I signed up for one and started it.
The introduction included a video by a woman (I didn’t write down her name) who explained that she grew up in a strong church home - (check), and had read her Bible - (check, again). But for a long time, she studied her Bible as a To Do checklist. (uh oh, this also sounds like me), which created anxiety to succeed (ouch, I’m not sure I like where this is going). She explained that she had come to the realization that the Bible wasn’t the source of answers to all her questions about the universe (ok, I’m feeling a little more at ease now), but was to help her understand God and insight into his plan (…more at ease). Looking at the Bible to understand God gave her the relaxed opportunity to understand and contemplate God’s plan for her without feeling the need to create a difficult to succeed checklist.
As I write this, I’m already feeling like I’m missing explaining the gist of her message. If you’re a type A personality like I am, maybe it makes sense in some vague way. But, to me, thinking of the Bible as explaining who God is and exploring his plan makes sense and encourages me to read the Bible in a more in depth, personal way, rather than the big picture way my natural tendencies desire. I’ve heard the saying that the way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time and this seems to fit with this viewpoint.
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” - Nehemiah 8:8
“So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. “- Acts 8:30-31
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.“ - Joshua 1:8
God, as I start this new calendar year, please help me to understand you and your plan for my life and help me to incorporate it into my very being…
