We’re days away from a new year.
This means new dreams, expectations, resolutions, and…..new Bible reading plans. Many of us want to start this year by reading the Bible alongside a plan that will keep us on track to read those swaths of Scripture we’ve neglected for far too long.
So, armed with resolve we hop on Google with a search that will certainly bring us to the right place: “Bible reading plans for 2022.”
Excitedly, Google gives us 16 million results. Surely, this is the year we’ll start and finish our plans. This is the year we’ll find the “right” plan and achieve success.
But what is “success” when it comes to reading the Bible?
Have we succeeded when, after years of failing to finish, we finally follow through on our plan? When we’ve checked every box and make it to the finish line?
Success is encounter
If we’re planning to read the Bible differently this year, success cannot be marked by finishing a plan.
A successful reading of Scripture is not about achieving a goal, it’s about encountering Jesus.
The words of the Bible are gifted to us for this very reason. From Genesis to Revelation, every line of text is meant to point us to Jesus Christ and his saving work in the world. We only read successfully when we find our souls growing in the knowledge and love of Him.
A plan within your plan
By all means, make a plan to read your Bible this year.
Make a goal, set aside time to read the Bible and strategically spend time in the Word. Have you always wanted to read more of the Old Testament? Pick a plan to read through it this year. Interested in reading more of the words of Jesus? Slowly read through the Gospels each day, taking your time till you’ve read all four. Many like to read the Bible chronologically, maybe that’s the plan for you.
Whatever you desire or want, pick a plan to read the Bible this year. I commend it! But superseding your assigned readings for the day, let your overarching plan not be to finish what you’ve started but to encounter Jesus of Nazareth.
Come to whatever passage is before you with the prayerful resolve to meet with Jesus.
Open you Bible with the aim offered centuries ago by Ignatius of Loyola who counseled that we come to Bible to grow in our intimacy of Jesus that we “may love Him more and follow Him more closely.”
Make this the plan within your plan and don’t be surprised when the risen Christ shows up.