Read with Me: What habits have you formed?
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~ Jim Ryun
We’ve started this journey together motivated by ambition, friendship and solid desires to know God and his Word. Now we just need to let the habit carry us through to the end.
Howya doin? We’re almost to the end of February and rather than ask what chapters you have or haven’t read, I want to talk about habits.
Kellie made some super encouraging remarks on last weeks check-in. She reminded us all that this challenge is less about the goal and more about the journey.
Isn’t all of the Christian life like that? God cares much less about what we do than what we are. It’s not about the job or the tasks; it’s about who we become, who we are becoming. It’s not about where we go, but those we meet. It’s not about titles, but relationships. And knowing God is meant to be a relationship. Are we checking off assignments or are we following that desire that first motivated us? Our goal is to know God and His Word.
So, tell me: what habits have you formed since we started this journey? Do you have a specific time or place where you read your Bible? What if your routine is thwarted? How do you adjust your schedule to find that quiet moment?
Posted on February 26, 2010, in Bible Reading, discipline, quiet time, Read with Me and tagged Bible Reading Challenge. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
I try and do my reading first thing in the morning and I’m actually using a Bible study program on my computer to read from. It has a little check list on the side and when I complete the days reading, it disappears from my list – I think the fact that I have actually completed it and it’s gone it what keeps me going – it’s gone off my to-do list forever! : )
If I can’t get to it in the morning (like this morning, when my three girls were all up at the crack of down for some reason), I try and fit it in during their rest time. So far my system is working well for me. I set up my readings so I would have Sundays off which gives me one catch day a week. (Right now, I’m one day behind).
I’m enjoying this system and feeling motived to get it done first thing. I imagine when the weather warms up, I may switch to my old faithful Bible and take my reading to my back deck, but we’ll see!
Well, I have had a very bad week with my Bible reading…actually, a pretty bad week in general…think there may be something to that! Anyway, as I was going through one of my Bible studies yesterday, I came across two of my favorite verses. Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
YIKES! Nothing like getting slapped in the face! I am just getting ready to start Numbers…and though it may seem a bit tedious at times, there is a reason it is there! Keep on keeping on! We can do it!!
I actually read at night, when I finish all the regular “work” and housework, kids are tucked in and I head to bed. I always watch tv, so instead of turning on the tube first thing, I open up my Bible and read for a while first. With the few catch up days included each month, I’m not doing too bad! If I have a really late night, I don’t beat myself up since when I do that, I end up missing weeks (something about thinking negatively)….so I really love the accountability of this group and I like many others of you, love checking off each little box! Hopefully, these are habits I will be able to continue with all year…and forever!
My reading time is from 6am – 6:45…and I’ll be honest and tell you that if I didn’t have a husband who helps me I wouldn’t be on track…he wakes me up, hands me a cup of coffee and then i sit in bed and read….usually reading the first passage through a couple of times because i’m not quite awake.
This week I had to find some time to catch up (from having company last week) and Leviticus was not motivating me to get through. So I listened to it on CD while I knit one afternoon. That was great because I could do something I’ve wanted to do (knit) while listening to something I wanted to get through but didn’t really want to read.
A few times, in an effort to get on track, I have read a little before I pick up my novel at night.
I am still really enjoying this read through. I’ve done this a couple times on my own but this time its really clicking….not sure if its the accountability and knowing I’m not on my own, or if the small knowledge I have of the Bible is helping me to fit the “parts” to the “whole”. Whatever it is, I’m grateful!
Habits? Well, now instead of listening to music or chatting with a friend in the afternoon carpool lines, I take my Bible and read. I even silence my phone so I won’t be distracted by it. Sometimes I get up early in the AM and read while I eat breakfast and drink my coffee (because my older two are gone and my youngest is often still sleeping) but I find the carpool line is when I’m most alert and “into” reading.
I’ve attempted this before, and I got very close to reaching my goal, but I’d say that this time around my motivation is different. It’s more than wanting to “check the box”, there’s a desire there to read/receive what God has for me.
I’d gotten very much out of the habit of meeting with God daily over the last year (my dad was very sick and I was depressed and just really weary). This plan has been the impetus for getting me back on track. I love it…and am so thankful that I”m not alone in this challenge.
BTW, Leviticus? Oh my my. I finished up February yesterday and I’m overjoyed to start Numbers today.