Ever get to the end of the Bible and you have just “ripped and whipped” through some really great New Testament books that, well, for this action-oriented lady, truly speak to my “let’s-go” soul? Corinthians, Galatians, Thessalonians … and best of all—are we even allowed to have a favourite—JAMES!!! Oh, the “practical applications” are deep and far and wide, and I just so love that! 

And then, all of a sudden, within a few flips of a few pages—POP!!! The “productivity party” is over, and I find myself staring at the title of the last (and least liked, by this lady anyway) book of the Bible: REVELATIONS.

Yes, I have attempted to read this book before, but I will admit while “reading” it, my brain begins to drift and is busily “doing the dishes” in my head, if you know what I mean. 🙂

Oh yes, I saw that book was fast approaching, and as I soaked up those last few little books right before it far too fast, it felt like BOOM! It was time to begin that “boring book.” Ugh.

But what really “began” to happen was I “began” to find quite a few fine “Reasons and Rationalizations” (aka extra “excuses”) to really not have to read Revelations. I mean, come on, I had already read 1381 pages of the New Testament. And I had read them not as a “to-do,” but with true motives to grow.

And I have a potential project in Proverbs I’m super eager to start. AND, well, who really needs to read Revelations anyway? It’s all “dungeons and dragons,” “futures and foretelling,” and really, I am busy enough dwelling on what is happening right here, right now, especially during this COVID crisis, right???

But I just couldn’t quite, in good conscience, make myself miss it, so I began to begin. And now, I will admit it is STILL full of disasters and dragons, angels and agendas. BUT there are some new and true gems of truth for me in there that, boy-oh-boy, this girl is really glad she didn’t miss!!

Here’s the little piece that so far spoke the most to my soul: “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my WORD and have not denied my name…. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial…. Hold on to what you have, so no one will take your crown” (Rev. 3:8b, 10, 11b).

Yes!! A real-time-real-life-right-NOW-piece-of-practical-advice-and-potential-application concept: If I only have a wee bit of time, energy and effort, well, it’s BEST if I choose to invest it into something/someone/some AREA that will give me the BIGGEST return for my investment.

And as all of us good-God-girls know (but often struggle to apply), we get the most success, productivity, peace, control, contentment, confidence, purpose and passion when or, better said, IF we choose to invest in our Spiritual Health first and foremost.

And so, what did this Revelation-Resistant lady really learn? Well that maybe, just maybe, God knew ALL along what my head and heart needed to hear … to absorb … to apply … for THIS exact crazy time.

Because, my friends, He CARES too much to quit “keeping on” me, my growth and HIS greater goals, even in a COVID crisis.

Yup, I am so glad I followed through on what I KNEW I needed to do. No more excuses because the only one who “loses” is … ME! So glad HE took the time to teach my head and heart this truth. And I wonder, just what has HE been trying to teach yours? Maybe it’s TIME to start taking the TIME to find out.

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be a Beautiful Woman of God.

Carol 😉 

Questions and Reflections

1. What “excuse” was I using to “skip” some of God’s Word? Was I justified in thinking so? What do you think makes the difference between a CHOICE on the outside being right or being wrong?

2. What do you think of the phrase (and we use it all the time with our teenagers!!), “You don’t even know, what you don’t even know”? Do you think this applies to me and my Bible reading journey? If so, why? And then, how might it apply to yours?

3. What “Reasons and Rationalizations” come easily to your brain to not get into God’s Word each day? Do you think it is actually DOABLE to find time to read the Bible daily? What would be the benefits of daily reading? What do you think might be the negatives?
4. What do you think of when you read the following verses: Matthew 23:10 and 12, Matthew 24:35? How does this apply to me? Was this a “good thing” in the end? Why would GOD take the time to teach me this lesson? What do you feel HE is taking the time to teach YOU? And even more importantly, HOW will you choose to respond?