Recently, I woke up in the middle of the night with the thought that God would like everyone to take a risk in reading the Bible. I often wake up in the middle of the night with a line running through my head, and must sit up and write it down so I do not forget by morning. In writing poetry, this happens frequently. I write when inspired, even in the middle of the night. In my sleep-fogged haze, while writing it down, I was trying to grasp why reading the Bible would be a “risk.” I’ve never considered reading the Bible a risk.

So, in the morning, I googled the word “risk.” It indicates: Risk is a consequence of action (in this case reading) in spite of uncertainty. Perhaps to some it is a risk. Many people are uncertain and unsure of the Bible. They often do not understand what has been written nor understand what they are reading. Perhaps in deciding to read it anyway is part of that risk.

Why take the risk?

It’s because it changes our outlook on life … our attitudes, our relationships, our work, our thoughts, our actions and behaviors, the list could go on. There is so much history and wonderful information among the pages.

It tells stories of belief and trust, of following God’s guidance even when fearful in doing so, and the wonderful outcome when that guidance is heeded (as well as what the consequences could be of not following guidance) … beginning with Adam and Eve in Genesis all the way through to the predictions outlined in the Book of Revelations. It tells about the joys, fears, loss, pain, hope and faith experienced by others (people just like us) throughout time, and of which we all continue to experience; and, most importantly, it speaks of God’s wonderful mercy and grace in sending His one and only Son, Jesus, to save us from our sin.

Daily reading will bring to light what has been written and enlighten our understanding of it as time goes on. God will speak to us individually through those pages, giving us history, guidance, intuition and direction.

God speaks to me directly through the Bible, giving me answers I am seeking, and those answers are always “specific” to what I may have been praying about or questioning at any given time. It’s almost as if God is sitting right there with me, speaking to me, with Him knowing my questioning spirit. And, in reality, He really is there.

One day, I had went to get a 2nd piercing in my ears so I could wear a hoop (and a stud earring) in both ears. One ear just would not heal no matter how much peroxide and salve I put on it. So, I proceeded to pray about it. I prayed: “I don’t know how you feel about ‘piercings’, Lord, but I really don’t want to have to take the earring out. I would ask that you please heal my ear.” During my Bible reading that morning, following my prayer, I just happened to be in Exodus 21, which read … “He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear ….” I actually laughed out loud and told God He had a great sense of humor, and I am pretty sure He was chuckling too. What were the chances of my praying, He responding, and I being in the middle of the Book of Exodus where He knew I would see His response! Lol! My ear healed quickly after that, but it is a conversation I had with God, with Him responding through the Bible, that I will never forget.

It is an awesome experience, and I believe everyone can have this same communication with God if they would just take time to read the bible and trust in what has been written and trust in what can be revealed.

It truly is worth the “risk.” You just might find it a daily routine that you will come to enjoy, as I have, and I know you will find a closer walk with God in doing so.

I would encourage you to make a resolution for this year and take the risk! Yes, pull out the Bible and … Read On!

I pray that in our daily reading of the Bible, we will each have a clearer understanding of God’s Word, a closer walk with Him, and a desire to share His Word with others through our love and actions.

(The above poem is an excerpt of my poem, “I Visited With God,” which can be read in its entirety in my book, “The Fingers of God.”)

(The above photo was taken while touring Children’s Square USA.
They have beautiful stained-glass windows in their chapel.)