I was looking at my bookcase the other day, and I did a quick count of the Bibles that I have. Currently, I have 6 study Bibles and a dozen or so other Bibles. I own concordances, commentaries, and I don't know how many books about God, prayer, living the Christian life, etc.
That doesn't include access to the Internet, where it is possible to find just about any resource imaginable in accessing the Bible. For goodness sakes, if I want to quote scripture in the blog, I don't even need to know the verse or what book it was in to find it- all I have to do is Google it!
I don't think I'm alone in this abundance of Biblical materials. A recent survey by the American Bible Society (2011) showed that 83% of Americans have a Bible in their homes. The access of Biblical knowledge available to our society today is unprecedented in history. We are also extremely blessed to live in a country that allows us complete access to that information with no threat of persecution.
Is the Bible supposed to be end all be all of God? Or is it a treasure map that points us to the greatest treasure there is? Is it a book that helps us understand the nature of God better, and what He expects of us? In our current Christian culture, do we spend more time reading about our God or actually getting to know Him?
One thing I do want to make clear before I go any further that I have nothing against Bible study or in having sound doctrine. There certainly is a place to that and it is extremely important. My concern is that the average believer is consuming a sea of sermons, pod casts, Christian writing, etc. and does not spend enough time communicating with God. Why is that?
With that being said, I am just as guilty as the next person of this. I have been known to spend way more time reading about the Bible or other people's commentary about God, prayer, etc. rather than actually spending time in prayer with God.
So why do like to read about God but never get to know Him?
Drawing upon personal experience, and from what I've seen with others in their walk it seems there are several reason why we do this.
-Excuses. By nature we are selfish creatures, and spending time in prayer takes effort and time. Just like working out, there are lots of reasons to come up with excuses. Lots of reasons not to make the time. In my modern, busy life, if I don't make time for something it will never happen. Prayer is one of those things.
-Distractions. Let's face it, there are a ton of ways to deaden our sense these days and distract ourselves. Phones, texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc. On top of that there are tons of ways to numb ourselves and tune out that inner voice trying to get our attention. From TV, Internet, movies, sports, games: the list is endless! Not that any of those things are bad by themselves, but they can easily become idols in our lives.
-Stuck in a rut of religious obligation. Although that is a deep subject that could have it's own book written about it, I'll try to sum it up here. I know I've been there before, where I've felt stuck in a rut.
I'm on every committee, volunteering for every activity. After a while I realize that I'm spending so much time doing stuff for God, I never get to know if I'm even doing what God wants me to do!
All that being said, what do we do about it? What really helps? Although I don't have any easy answers, I've found a few things that have helped me out:
1. Daily scripture reading. It can start with just a chapter a day of a book in the Bible, and it may expand over time to several chapters a day. This may not be groundbreaking advice I realize, but it is necessary. If you aren't sure where to get started, there are hundreds of reading plans that are out there. Personally, I prefer to start with a book, and keep reading them in order. I have found plans where I read part of the Old Testament, New Testament, etc. all together each day loses focus on the book I am reading.
2. Daily prayer. This doesn't need to be complicated, just needs to be a daily practice. Like exercise, you won't find time to do this. Life is just too darn busy for that. Instead you will have to make the time. Find that quiet space and time (it can even be your car) and use that time to get close to God.
3. Fasting. This maybe something you have tried before, or something brand new to you. I am just beginning to start this practice, but there is a reason this is mentioned in the Bible. Start small, maybe just by setting aside 1 meal aside a week and instead of eating spend that time with God. It can be quite rewarding! Then move up to fasting for two meals, and then an entire day.
I know that when I practice what I just listed above, I find myself much closer to God, and my whole outlook on life changes. When I spend less time with God (even if I am being busy "doing" things for God) I find myself drifting away and getting distracted. I lose focus on what's really important, and how I treat people around me changes completely.
I hope this helps you on your journey, and I welcome comments below on what has helped you on staying close to God.
God Bless!
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