Here we go.  This is the year we are going to read through the entire Bible.  We can do this.  But why should we?  Why are we compelled to read through the whole Bible in a year?  Why have we set that as a standard for the really, really committed Jesus-follower?

Don’t misunderstand.  Reading through the Bible each year can be an incredible experience.  Consuming large amounts of biblical content renews our souls, shapes our character, and connects us with the Lord God.  Some of the godliest people I know read through the Bible every year.

But maybe reading through the Bible every 365 days is not necessarily the way to go for everyone.  Here are a few thoughts as we begin a New Year of Bible reading:

What if there were 380 days a year?

Would we need to read the Bible through each year if years were longer?  Would we read it twice if a year were only half as long?  Or what if the Bible contained 72 books?  Would we still need to read it in one year?  The year timeframe seems artificial.

But more than that, I sometimes wonder if that arbitrary standard discourages people from reading the Bible at all.  The point is to pursue Jesus, and daily Bible reading is vital to that pursuit.  So whether we read the entire Bible in one year or two or three, let’s just read it and then live it out.

We are going to miss days.

Don’t tell anyone, but there are some days I don’t read the Bible.  Honestly, I estimate that I miss reading my Bible less than 10 days each year.   I wake up with a hunger for God’s Word and I love reading the Bible.  For that I’m grateful.

But sometimes it just doesn’t happen.  That’s not good, but it’s not the end of the world.  And whenever I feel like I need to “catch up” on my reading, there is something lost in my intimacy with Jesus.

Bible reading is only part of our daily devotion time.

I usually spend a little over an hour in Bible reading, prayer, journaling, Scripture memory, and reading other devotions.  Perhaps I should spend more time than that, but I don’t.  That means I read about 4 chapters from the Bible each day.

For me to read through the Bible every year means I would neglect other essential aspects of my devotional time.

When we read the Bible, we encounter the Living God.

We walk with Jesus by feasting on His Word, the Bible.  But when I attempt to read too much too quickly, it’s like I’m listening to my wife and asking her to hurry up and get to the point.  That is never good.  Intimacy requires an appropriate pace.

So when I read the Bible, I often stop to reflect, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply the text to my life.  That all just takes a little more time.  And frankly, that pace gives me a better chance to hear from God rather than when I simply scan information.

We read the Bible like every word is inspired.

Every noun, verb, pronoun, direct object, preposition of the Bible is God-breathed.  While some passages carry more theological weight than others, every part is important to understand and apply.  So even when I read devotionally, I seek to understand the grammar and context, including the people, places, and situation involved.

When we fail to consider those factors, we risk spiritualizing or misapplying the text to our lives.

Oh and by the way, this is what brings the tough passages in Leviticus, Ezekiel, and Revelation to life.  Boredom, confusion, and discouragement are sure to set in otherwise.

We need a little freedom in our pursuit of Jesus.

A systematic Bible reading plan is extremely important.  You can find a host of great options at YouVersion.  I use this application everyday.  But with that said, we need some measure of freedom as we pursue Jesus and make disciples.

Jesus followers also help others follow Jesus.  So as we shepherd our families, engage our friends, and make disciples of others, we will need to exercise prayerful discernment and sometimes redirection in our devotional life.

So let’s find our pace and get into God’s Word everyday.  Let’s pursue Jesus with all our heart. And let’s just see what He does in us and through us for His glory.

As always, I welcome your feedback.  What does your reading plan look like for 2013?  What does your daily devotional time look like?  How has God used that discipline in your life?