Over the past few days I’ve been thinking a lot about routines. Even yesterday I discussed new routines for the blog, but one major area in my life that I am working to improve is my time with God in the Bible and conversation with Him in prayer. I am in the process of reading the Bible all the way through. I do not plan on doing it all in a year- if you’re one of those “Read the Bible in a Year” people, go you…I just know it’s not for me. When I try to do it that way it becomes more of a to-do list item and often very stressful (especially when I fall behind). I begin to focus more on just trying to “check it off” than actually glean wisdom, knowledge, and faith-growing nuggets from what I’m reading.

I have established a new routine in that area, though. I am now trying to read 2 chapters from the Old and New Testaments daily. I refuse to get down on myself, though. There are times when I only get to read half of what I planned to read, so I just do the other half the next day and move on instead of feeling guilty. The point of reading the Bible is to grow in God and grow in a LOVE for His words in my life…not checking it off a list.

I’m currently in Genesis and Psalms in the Old Testament and Matthew and Philippians in the New Testament. I’ve added as I’ve gone, so the chapters don’t really line up, but I’ll be honest, it’s fascinating to see how it all connects and different topics or events in different books and parts of the Bible still relate and connect with each other.

I really want to share some of the scripture that challenged me in relationship and communication with God. Again, I found it incredible how 3 different books that I was reading at the same time could all work together and relate in communicating the same message.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

This section of scripture really challenged me. There are so many views and opinions floating around out there about what it means to be a “Christian.” Many people say it’s all about love and many will make it out as something that is really easy. Christianity, at its core IS very simple: Love God and love others. Even Christ said these two commandments make up the whole of the law. It is a simple idea, but it’s execution is often VERY hard. It requires discipline and the willingness to CHOOSE what’s right, even when no one else is choosing what’s right. That’s the narrow path- walking one way that looks difficult and somewhat scary and sometimes doing it all by yourself, while everyone else is walking the other way waving at you, telling you to come with them. It’s choosing to follow what Christ has called you to, despite what everyone else tells you. It’s hard…and I know I fail at it most days. I’m praying that God will help me in this area and grow in this ability. It’s kinda funny, too, it reminds me of the popular Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken“.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.'” – Matthew 7:21-23

I don’t know about you, but this passage shakes me to the core. I see so many religious movements, and people doing things in the name of Christ. It’s awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time. I wonder…”Why haven’t I done these things?” I make myself feel “less-Christian” because I haven’t…or I make myself feel MORE-Christian for having done something…I put on the holier-than-though attitude because I did  _____. But then I hit this passage. Holy cow (except cows are holy)…even people that ARE doing and HAVE done things in the name of Christ won’t be admitted into Heaven. Just because I say or act like a “Christian” doesn’t mean that I am one. I think the key questions to ask ourselves from this scripture that truly point us to Christ are these: 1) Am I doing the will of God? 2) Did I open myself to be known by God and I to know Him?

As humans, we often try to do, do, do…earn, earn, earn…but when it comes down to it, did we really follow God’s will? Do we accept His sacrifice for ourselves, and just as we have freely received that sacrifice, do we freely (and joyfully) share it with others? Do we truly love God? Do we TRULY love people? Again, it’s easier said than done. It’s easier to APPEAR than to BE. Do I have conversations with God? Do I know and follow His voice and allow Him to mold and shape me, or do I do my own thing? Again, this piece of scripture both terrifies and challenges me. It pushes me to grow in my relationship with Christ even more and reflect on the condition of my relationship with Him.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:24-27