HIDDEN SPRINGS 2

 Hi everyone,

I hope you have had a good week. For myself, it was really about getting back into the swing of work and getting things put in place for this year.  However, yesterday we had a visit from old friends.  These friends go way back to before I met Jeff, and we have crossed paths occasionally over the years.  

We've heard it said so many times that the test of true friendship is that you pick up right where you left, no matter how long it has been. Well, yesterday proved to be a case in point!  

It was so good to see you, Karen & Michael!  

Last week I talked about the 'well of worship'.  

Today I want to talk about the 'Well of The Word'... Specifically the Scriptures.

One of the things I appreciate about my home is that water is on tap... inside the house.  I don't have to go to a well outside, up the street or across town.  I know that is the norm for many people in the world still today.  It was certainly normal for people in Bible Times.  

In my mind, that would be a laborious task and I'm always in awe of Rebecca who watered all those camels at the well for this stranger, who turned out to become her servant! (Genesis 24)

When it comes to creating Scripture reading habits, sometimes it can feel a bit laborious.  It shouldn't, we have the Bible on tap, in print and on our phones. It's already freely at our disposal.  We don't have to go anywhere to access it.. and yet for many of us, daily attention to The Word is a difficult habit to cultivate.

Let me share a very practical piece of advice. Get a reading plan.  The value of this is twofold.  

1.  You don't have to make the decision of, "what should I read today".  The plan tells you!

2.  You find yourself reading all of the Scriptures, not just the favourite bits!  It is so important that we get the 'broad brush' of Scripture because any stand-alone passage is best understood in the big picture.

I imagine this process to be like letting the bucket down into the well.  

Now a couple of practical tips...

If I miss a day, I don't try and play catch up, unless I want to!  This is not about ticking boxes, it's about nourishing our souls.  The reason for this is that it makes the discipline harder if we feel the need to catch up.  Remember His mercies are new EVERY MORNING.  Each new day is a fresh start, so don't drag yesterdays lapse into today.

I know that many of you read the Scriptures from your phone, following a reading plan. But for those who prefer paper, I have the reading plan stuck in the front of my Bible so it's always there.  I lose things easily, so don't want to sabotage the habit by having to find something important that I've lost!

Finally, a word of encouragement.  Many times I have come to a passage and thought, 'this is going to be boring!' only to find that The Holy Spirit breathes on it in such a way, that even that boring bit was just what I needed to hear on that day!

Let me encourage you to dig that second well of daily reading of Scripture. It will sustain, nurture and instruct you. Drink deeply and consistently from it and you will flourish!

Until next time,

much love,

Lynda xx