For the Love of a Good Book

So I was chatting online with my brother the other day. We somehow wandered into talking about the Old Testament in the Bible. I was sharing some of my recent reflections on Job when he asked a question that 1) flattered me, 2) challenged me and 3) honestly... surprised me:

"I remember back when you were in HS at night, you'd usually be sitting in on your bed reading your bible. I assume you have phases where you're really good about doing that, and others where it's really easy to just go to bed. What keeps you doing it?"

Wow... that may be the highest compliment of my life. It was very humbling, though, because I feel like it paints an unfair picture of me. He's right... there are probably more times when I'm not good about spending time in God's Word. And, even the times I'm digging in to God's Word, I realize I'm often not spending time with Him personally through prayer.

In response to his question, my first thought was to mention the helpfulness of accountability. (It can be helpful!) This saddened me, though, because it seems like such a legalistic approach to reading the Bible. But, as I was typing that I realized how much I really do LOVE God's Word. It's something I'm truly passionate about it, and I can see how it's changed me over the years. There are specific lessons I remember learning based on simply reading the Word. A few examples:

Job - you just read about that below.
Ezekiel - GOD'S will for my life often won't match MY will for my life.
Matthew 6 - When I worry, my actions say "God, I don't trust you." I don't want my life to say that!
Ecclesiastes - Bad/sad times will come. That's just the way life is.
Acts 2 - The Church is a beautiful thing WHEN it's functioning with Christ as its head.
(I could go on.)

Point is... I'm never more passionate than when I'm sharing with others what I'm learning about God through His Word and how it impacts my life. I never stopped to think about that before, so... thanks, Bro, for your question. I hope our conversation impacted you, too.  :)