The Book...
I recently enjoyed reading a book not too long ago by Janet Pope, His Word in My Heart. I was quite surprised to find it waiting for me outside my doorstep one day towards the end of February. When I I first saw it, I tried to remember when I had ordered a new book, but then I realized that I hadn't! It was actually a wonderful gift, and such a life-transforming one!
In her book, Janet shares her experience of memorizing Scripture and how it completely changed her life. I know how easy it is to think, "If only I had started when I was younger! My brain doesn't work as good as it used too!" And I am only twenty-three!! So I am sure that many of you probably feel much worse...and the thought of trying to memorize Bible verses seems rather daunting. Well, Janet addresses all of these things in her book, because she didn't start memorizing until she was thirty-five!
I love how this book is not some "formula focused" book, but is a testimony of one woman's journey of learning to meditate and treasure God's Word. I highly recommend this book for all Believers because I know that my life is drastically different now that I have gleaned from Janet's testimony.
Transformation...
I have always grown up memorizing Bible verses, whether it was in Sunday School, AWANA, Youth Group, or just on my own. But as I read Janet's book, I realized that I have always been more focused on my accomplishment instead of on meditating and treasuring God's Word by memorizing it. So after reading His Word in My Heart I took on a new strategy. I followed Janet's lead as she led her readers in memorizing Psalm 1 (one verse every day). So I wrote down my verse of the day and carried it with me and recited it to myself all throughout the day. I sought to fill up all my "empty moments" like when I am getting dressed, brushing my teeth, doing the dishes, cleaning, driving, walking, and what have you with God's Word. And it was like enjoying a delicious feast all day long! I also have been working on 1 John, doing just a couple verses every day so that I take the time to think deeply, meditate, ask questions and find every bit of nourishment for my soul that I can find from my couple verses. This change in attitude has completely transformed the way I look at life. I feel a joy and peace like never before because I am thinking about God's Word all throughout the day...I feel His presence so deeply and close because I am keeping His Word before me all throughout the day. And really it does not take up that much time to memorize and recite...we just have to discipline our minds to capture those "empty moments".
I have been working on memorizing my verses now for two weeks. And God has been testing my resolve and motives. It is easy to begin something new because it is exciting and fresh. The joy and happiness you get at the beginning can push you on at first, but as I have gone through the past two week, I can see that memorizing Scripture does not take away difficulties, frustrations, laziness, lack of motivation, weariness, heartache, fear, or all these human sins and weaknesses; but through it all when I corral my mind back to God's Word I find peace in just looking to Jesus through all the circumstances we face in life. Memorizing the Bible will not keep away the storms of life but it certainly prepares us for them and enables us to sail through them with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
I look forward to doing my verses each day now...before it had really been a chore---something I had to do, but now my attitude has changed. I love memorizing God's Word and thinking on what He is saying to me in it. Right now I have just finished 1 John 2 and I cannot wait to begin chapter three.
So I challenge all of you who would like to know the Lord deeper and learn to meditate on His Word...pick a book, psalm, passage and start by memorizing one verse every day. You will find that you cannot wait for the next day to begin so that you can find out what new nugget of gold from God's Word you will be uncovering that day.
It is an adeventure...a beautiful one though!! I'll keep ya all posted on how my memorizing journey goes as I continue to press on to know the Lord by memorizing His Word.
