5 Days to Get Motivated to Read the BibleНамуна

If you are a committed Christian, you probably have had moments in life in which you have said to yourself, “I need to read the Bible more!” You may have thought about the endeavor in terms of “When will I do it?” “What plan should I use?” and “What do I need to do?” Certainly, reading the Bible needs to be approached with such questions, but I want to suggest that the key to reading the Bible well, in a rhythm of life that overflows with interest and leads to real transformation, lies below the surface of such questions, much deeper, in the regions of the heart.

Our hearts must be in good condition to tap the Word in ways that lead to life and change. With a well, if the motor is broken, water simply will not come to the surface. We can have the pipes in place and nice faucets for delivery. We may have a timer that sets a rhythm for watering the lawn. Yet, if the motor is broken, there is no life-sustaining water.

Similarly, if our hearts are not in the right posture, open and made pliable and receptive by the Holy Spirit, reading the Bible will not bring the intended life-sustaining delight. It will fall flat. We can have a nice Bible, a time for Bible reading, a place for our reading, and even a sense of resolve that “This time I am going to stick with it!” Nevertheless, our practice of Bible reading, no matter how well-intentioned, will not last if our hearts are not addressed first.

Motivations and the Condition of the Heart

We need to ask ourselves what really moves us to act. To what do we want to give time and why? Our thoughts and intentions reflect the condition of our hearts. Is our heart healthy spiritually? Is our heart in a place and posture to hear what God is saying to us?

Specifically, in terms of reading God’s Word, do we value what the Word has to offer us? When we truly desire to know what God has to say to us, we become motivated to commit time to God’s Word.

Our spiritual heart condition influences our desire and ability to hear and act on God’s Word. Our spiritual condition can either facilitate or severely restrict the impact of God’s Word on our lives. The condition of our hearts lies at the very bedrock of a life built on God’s Word.

As we begin to address the condition of our hearts and begin embracing the Word, the Word will in turn shape our hearts to be even more receptive, increasing our desire to focus on His Word. In that sense, the heart is both the source and the goal of our Bible reading.