"Study your Bible with a pen in your hand." A wise silver haired man repeatedly encouraged this practice. It is probably safe to say that no other particular endeavor (there are others) has helped me more in regards to growing in the understanding and appreciation of Scripture.
This effort compels one to interact with the text slowly, meditate upon it, and solidify thoughts upon paper. Otherwise such thoughts would no doubt fade away into the fog of forgetfulness. There is something about the exercise of writing that helps embed the meaning of the text deeper into the soil of our hearts and minds.
Sure other methods are beneficial as well, such as hearing Scripture taught by a solid teacher, memorization, listening to Scripture (audio book - or listening to someone read it), praying, engaging with commentaries, and more. Yet again I contend that the pen and the Scriptures have a profound relationship. The two companions are ancient and prolific.
Too often we read Scripture fast, as we would a novel, or the news paper. Yet this book is intensely different. To wade slowly through these waters is to gather diamonds and gold, which would be missed if one preferred to speed by in a boat.
If well used, journaling Bibles can become a blessed map to the vast landscape of Scripture. To journal through an entire book of the Bible is to emerge on the other side with a deeper and more substantial understanding of that particular book. To do so in more than one book at a time (especially in both the Old Testament and the New) often results in finding beautiful connections which would have otherwise passed unnoticed.
I've been on this journey for many years now, slowly wading through glory. Praise be to the King for this specific grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment