As much as I love to sit and read scripture (often with a steaming cup of some coffee-related beverage close at hand), I’ve had a hard time lately with bringing it to bear upon my intellect and my life. Likewise, I’ve found it really difficult recently to consistently make time for private prayer. (These two are doubtless linked.)
It’s funny, because I have so many tools to make reading and understanding God’s word not only easier, but practical . . . I have such an intellectual concern for accuracy in translation and great study notes . . . I’ve learned how to interpret scripture and discern its different literary characteristics. I (probably) have more brains and (definitely) more training at this whole “Bible” thing than 85% of America’s evangelicals, yet many in that same 85% are probably growing spiritually at a rate exponentially higher than mine.
Stagnancy. That’s where I am. I read scripture out of duty and out of a desire to cram facts into my head . . . not out of a desire to hear God speak. So . . . I’ve identified the problem and it should be easy to correct.
Not so much.
1 comment so far ↓
Rae, it is refreshing to see the transparency in your post. I think many of us who are deeply devoted to the Bible have experienced the lack of desire to apply it much at some time in our lives. I think these desert times are special challenges. One thing I think they can do is pull us toward God himself. The Written Word is supposed to do that, but sometimes we get so caught up in “proper” interpretive techniques, having the “best” translation, etc., that we miss the personal relationship part. It’s the same way with the Internet. We might spend all our time on discussion lists or in chat rooms but in our times of honesty come away and realize that we really haven’t related much of our innermost being to someone that we know, whether it is a parent, spouse, child, friend, whomever. I recently posted a blog entry that relates to what you have written about. It is at this Internet address. I pray that you might find something helpful in it.
I do understand what you are saying. I’ve been there in my own life. I happen to be a Bible translator. It is even possible to translate the Bible as a job without the Bible having an effect upon my life. Sometimes God has to bring some pain or something else into our lives to get us to realize that the Book points to him and his dear Son, our Savior. If we forget that, all the Bible study in the world, and having the most accurate translations, and the best study helps will not give us the deep-down satisfaction we long for.
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