Read the Bible in a New Way

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16

We live in a country where we all have easy access to a Bible. We have many choices and enjoy all the freedoms that come with owning a Bible. Most of us have grown up on Bible teachings. If not going to Sunday School then we at least know the big holiday happenings. We know why we celebrate the holiday but have we truly let the event impact our lives?

We have the privilege to read the Bible with a lens of seeing Jesus as the Messiah. We know the whole story, so it can be hard for us to read and simply stay in that moment. Reality is Jesus was an actual man. He grew up, he felt things, he had disappointments and he had bad days. He came into this world leaving all his Godly powers so he could be an example for us. He was God in human form, which can be hard to comprehend.

When we read the Bible, what if we slowed down, took a step back and read it as though Jesus were truly a man here on earth. Picturing it with a lens looking for similarities in our daily lives. After all that was what Jesus wanted to show us, how to walk day to day, how to treat others, how to love, even when it is difficult. If we could read the Bible relating it to as real people in a moment, picturing the event and walking through it during that time period, our reading time might look very different.

Besides slowing down and picturing the events. We can also see things differently by changing the translation of the Bible we read daily. I know how scary that sounds! I was a firm NO to changing, but then I changed my mind. There was a verse I had memorized and clung to my whole life. Then I read the same verse from a different translation and it changed my world. It was a subtle shift but it was enough for me to stop and see the scripture in a whole new light. It was refreshing!

So, this year I have purchased a new translation for my daily readings. I set aside (but not far away) my loved, treasured, faithful and underlined Bible. Let me encourage you that it has made a difference. Just the subtle change of a word here and there opened my eyes to things I had not thought of before. Sometimes one verse will just stop me and I sit with it pondering a new perspective. The familiar verses I have carried with me have been renewed. As much as I thought I would miss all my underlining and notes, I am making new ones and I am not distracted by the old ones.
Putting these two things together has breathed a breath of fresh air on my time in the word. May you be blessed also!

Beloved, I bless you to read the Bible with a new set of eyes, a new revelation. May you find new wonders and relatable circumstance to help you in your walk. Be blessed to see Jesus coming alive as your daily example.

Monica Brunn – March 3, 2021