Three-peat

I know many people choose January 1 as the start of their "something new" or "something better".  As for me, I'm just hoping to accomplish what the Lakers did by winning the NBA Championship in 2000, 2001 and 2002:  I'm going for a three-peat.

For the past two years, I have set a goal of reading through the entire Bible in a year.  The first year was really hard - when I got to Exodus 25-27 and read through the specifics of building the tabernacle, I glazed over at all the details and thought organic chemistry was easier to follow.  Then when I got to 1Chronicles and nine chapters of genealogy (yes, nine!) starting with Adam himself, I questioned why I would ever need to know that Ram begot Amminadab and Amminadab begot Nahshon.  But as I continued concurrently through the Old and New Testaments, I realized that it all came down to God's faithfulness.  He can give instructions so specific that we need not doubt what to do.  He lists generations and generations of people He has used for His will and His glory to assure me that His promises never fail, and that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  (Romans 8:28)

Last year, I was more familiar with the time commitment and remembered which parts weren't, say, so exciting.  I forced myself to find one new thing about those parts of Scripture, something I had never learned before, "that all may learn and all may be encouraged." (1Corinthians 14:31)  As I checked off the days, I would remind myself to thank the Lord that I could even read the Bible freely, whenever and wherever I wanted.  Now, let's be real - in no way did I always stay on schedule.  Some days it really is a lot of reading.  Or, of course, I didn't make enough time to keep up.  In fact (confession looming), I read through the assigned chapters for the last five days of the year just THIS MORNING so I could say I did it!  (Fine, I know it's January 1 and not December 31, but I'm giving myself props anyway.)

Now that I'm starting my third year of reading the entire Bible, I thought I'd share about it, because maybe it's your time to start.  If you are seeking some kind of New Year's resolution, or for those of you who need a gentle reminder, we are called to be in the Word of God:  "you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it." (Joshua 1:8)  I am still trying to make it a habit, and I know there are will be times when I miss my daily or nightly reading.  But I know my efforts will draw me closer to Him, which is something He desires of us whatever time of year.

So come on, say it with me:  "Three-peat!  Three-peat!"

Happy New Year!