It's the time of year where I start questioning. Questioning what I want to accomplish--or try to accomplish--for the rest of this year. Questioning what I want to do next year. In particular, about reading the Bible, reading in general, and blogging.
I am not questioning IF I want to read the Bible, mind you. I am questioning if it is time for my approach to reading the Bible to change. I have always been a fast reader. I have always read multiple bibles at a time. I have resorted to skimming parts here and there with the excuse, well, I've already "read" the Bible x amount of times this year...or I just read that section three weeks ago do I really need to read it-read it this time through. There's always an excuse ready at hand. Sometimes it is because of my vision issues. IF I'm struggling to see well through my weak eye, I do prioritize certain sections over others or certain translations over others. Red letter bibles tend to prove problematic as well at times.
I am questioning the pros and cons of "reviewing" the Bible each time I finish it. I am wondering if it would be more helpful to NOT treat the Bible like it was any other book strictly in terms of reviewing it.
I am considering what I might gain if I change things up. If I were to read fewer Bibles at a time. If I were to read "in" translations but not feel obligated to read a specific Bible through all the way for it to 'count.' If I were to visit Bibles and translations instead of feeling obligated to finish every single Bible that I start, that I thrift, that I buy. Is there only value in Bible reading if I "complete" it? Surely not.
I don't know how "few" few is. If I mean two or three Bibles at a time. Or literally just one Bible at a time. I don't know that I'm ready to just to read ONE Bible at a time. But I am ready to 'calm down' a bit in this race to read the Bible.
I DO love to read. I DO want to read the Bible for a long period of time each day. I DO love, love, love a handful of translations. But having so many rules--of my own making, of only my own making--can be exhausting. For example, I love the King James Version. I do. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. A few years ago, I challenged myself to read in the KJV every single day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Which automatically means that I at least need to have two Bibles going. One KJV and one another translation of my choosing. And because I love so many translations, I often pick up a Bible for the joy of it, and then end up adding more and more and more and more. Until there's a stack of Bibles that all are crying for attention.
I'm currently reading the NIV 84, the HCSB, the NKJV, the BSB, and the KJV. I'm actively enjoying--loving, treasuring, cherishing--the NKJV, the BSB, and the KJV. But part of me feels obligated to keep going on the other two because I've already read so much.
1 comment:
I am a regular reader of your blog and greatly enjoy it. I often share your perceptions of different translations. If I had a prayer for you it would be that you would be perpetually encouraged in your bible reading whichever plan or approach the HS places on your heart. This is a selfish prayer, as your passion for reading Scripture encourages me. Thank you.
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