When January rolls around I always ask—should I do something different this year? Maybe add kale to my diet, or exercise more? Years ago I make a resolution to start flossing my teeth, and I did pretty good. But most lifestyle changes are hard to stick with, so I don’t have big expectations.

One habit I definitely will continue involves daily time in the Bible. Even if it’s only a few verses skimmed at the end of a busy day, reviewing Scripture resets my trajectory in a hopeful direction.

Scripture is so powerful because it’s not merely a static document, but it actually holds life. Check out this description from the writer of Hebrews:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

It might be better to say that the Word of God is alive and kicking. When you ingest the Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit piles on and words morph from interesting concepts to changes that stick. Some biblical thoughts bug me, others give me pause, and a few pull me up short. Occasionally one even makes me cuss. Nothing else I read conjures such reactions.

Then the next day it happens again. Like sourdough yeast working through a mound of dough, the word of God penetrates deeper and deeper.

Scripture opens fresh worlds. Its active personality pushes me to places wonderful and uncomfortable and so very much alive.

Take the risk. Join me in reading through the Bible in 2024, and start swallowing more of the bubbling, swelling, alive and kicking words of God.

Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Duncan Kidd