Are you a Radio Skipper?
By Shelly Burke
I am a radio skipper. I listen to a station for a few
seconds (or less) and change the station if I don’t immediately recognize and
like the song. I automatically skip if it’s a commercial, too. I can detect any
word even distantly related to sports in a millisecond, and again, the station
is changed immediately. (You might be glad to hear that this only happens when
I’m driving in wide open spaces of Nebraska, and don’t worry—the radio control
is on my steering wheel so I don’t need to look away from the road as I’m radio
skipping!) It’s a wonder I don’t get “skipping” thumb!
When I do hear a familiar song—especially if it’s from the
80’s--I listen (and often sing along. Sometimes loudly.).
My skipping habit drives my kids crazy! “How can you even tell what song is playing?” they often ask. And I
give that “all-purpose” mom answer—“Just
because I know.”
But once in awhile their ears detect familiarity in the few
notes they hear before I change the station, and they say, “That’s a good song—switch back!” I always go back per their
request…and believe it or not, many times when I actually listen to the song, I
like it!
Are you a Bible skipper? Do you open your Bible, look at the
verse on which your eye lands, and immediately turn to another page if you
don’t recognize the verse, or if your eyes land on a word like “sacrifice” or
“thou shall not”? Do you prefer to read comfortable and familiar passages?
Any time you read God’s Word, you will benefit from it.
However, “Bible skipping” has its problems, just like “radio skipping” does.
By turning the page when you read a certain word or phrase,
you’re missing out on God’s Word. Every single word in the Bible is His Word
and is there for a purpose—even if the lesson isn’t one you particularly want
to learn or read at that time.
“All scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness so that the man {and woman!} of God may be thoroughly equipped
for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Next time you are tempted to skip, stay on that page. Read
the whole verse, or even the whole chapter. See what God is telling you. You
might very well learn a lesson He wants you to learn or find a new “favorite.”
Have you ever listened to a song over and over again before
you finally realized what a certain word or phrase was? The same thing can
happen when you read the Bible—after reading a verse or chapter over and over
you might suddenly gain new insight as to what it means or how you can apply it
to your life.
I often learn something new when I reread something I’ve
already read many times. It’s ok to stay on a familiar “station” in the Bible,
but read the verses or chapter before and after the words which are familiar
with you—you’re sure to learn more when you know the context of the verse or
verses by reading what comes before and after. Ask God what message He wants
you to get from His message that particular day.
How can you break your habit of “Bible skipping”?
- Read a Chronological Bible, which presents events of the Bible in the order in which they occurred.
- Follow another reading plan; type “Read the Bible in a Year” into your search engine and you’ll get many plans to choose from.
- Study a word, person, or book of the Bible in depth.
- Read the chapter of Proverbs corresponding to the date.
The more I read and study the Bible, the more I enjoy doing
so and the more I learn. I pray that you
will find the same to be true in your life.
Paul says to Timothy (and therefore to us), “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord
will give you insight into all of this.” 2 Timothy 2:7
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us Your Word, the Bible. Please give me
the urge to read, study, and learn from it, and help me to discern Your
messages and how they apply to my life. Amen.
I
am also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is
Today’s
entry tells you how to “Break the Shopping Rules.”
