I have to begin this article with a confession. My Bible reading for 2021 was inconsistent and lackluster. I struggled to spend time in the Scriptures beyond my sermon and teaching preparation. Yes… even pastors fail to spend enough time in God’s word. However, I wanted to do things differently this year. At the recommendation of a Christian friend, I began listening to a daily podcast called The Bible in a Year by Father Mike Schmitz. This podcast includes two or three Scripture passages each day, along with a prayer and short reflection. The host is a Catholic priest, and though there are theological differences between us, I have found his meditations incredibly helpful. Another great thing about this podcast is that the readings are selected chronologically, so it helps us take the individual stories of the Bible, and fit them into the overarching STORY of the Bible. Perhaps this is a resource that will bless your busy life as much as it is blessing mine.

Truthfully, there are lots of ways we can get back into Scripture. There are many Bible reading plans available online. Simply reading three to four chapters a day will get you through the entire Bible in a year. You can get the Bible on your smartphone. I recommend the YouVersion Bible App or the Bible Gateway App. You can find your favorite versions, get access to reading plans, devotions, and audio readings (for those of you who like to listen rather than read).

I’ve also found that routine helps me be consistent. Currently, I’m listening to the Scriptures while I get ready in the morning. Some people like to listen or read while they’re walking or doing the dishes. Others prefer a quiet place with their morning cup of coffee. There’s no right or wrong way, only what works best for you.

It’s also helpful to remember this: If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly. In an ideal world, we would all spend lots of time in the Scriptures, prayer, and reflection each day. However, this isn’t an ideal world, and reading Scripture is worthwhile even if we can only read a chapter each day, or only manage to read three days out of seven. Anything is better than nothing.

Will you join me in reading the Bible this year?

Pastor Kate