Mission accomplished: Bible-in-a-month challenge, 28 of 30

Day 30 — 1 John 2:12-Revelation 21:21

I did it.  1094 pages, 66 books, two testaments, one Bible … all in the month of December.

While I’m stoked about achieving my goal, I’m mindful that the Lord has helped me all along the way.  Left to myself, I would have talked myself out of the attempt in the first place, or would have bailed out somewhere along the way.  Plus there are many, many others who a better examples of devotion to the scriptures than I.  They inspire me with their faithfulness over a lifetime, not just a willingness to embrace a short-term sacrifice to accomplish a task.

I’d like to do a review of the experience in the next day or so to see if there are some “lessons learned” that will serve me or others in the future.  But for now, I want to record a few random thoughts, just so I don’t forget them.

First of all, the Bible is an amazing book.  It has the power to change lives as it reveals a great, powerful, loving and holy God.  It’s also a fantastic read.  There’s a delightful array of topics, writing styles and content.  The drama and history are gripping. But for all its diversity, there’s unassailable truth that starts at the beginning and continues on to the very end.

A few things that struck me: there’s much grace in the Old Testament, and some strong judgment expressed in the New Testament.  God’s patience with man is breath-taking.  He contends with his people over thousands and thousands of years as they abandon His ways time and time again to embrace sin and idolatry.  Even at the very end of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, He confronts His wayward children for pursuing God-substitutes.  His goal?  To glorify his name, redeem a people rushing head-long toward destruction, and restore them to a place where they can enjoy the eternal blessings of relationship with Him.  To that end He gave His son Jesus.

Anyway, it’s not my intention to preach.  Hopefully, I’m experiencing a little of what Romans describes as being “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  God knows there is much transformation needed in my life.

As far as Bible study goes, it’s time to transition from a sprint back to a life-long marathon.  But this experience has shown me that I’m capable of covering more ground each day than I thought before.

I wonder if any other little exploits might serve to jolt me out of my comfort zone?  How about you?