Transformed by the Word by Tara McClenahan

Psalm 119:97~105

⁹⁷O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
⁹⁹I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
¹⁰²I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Finding time for daily quiet time in God's Word can be a challenge in our hectic world. We have so many roles to fill ~ wife, mom, boss/employee, teacher, sister, daughter, taxi driver, etc. that sometimes the role of daughter of the King gets pushed off of our list. However, this week I dare to challenge you to carve out daily time in the Word. It's worth the effort. But it's not just about time. It's also about attitude.

Time vs. Attitude

Here's a self-assessment question for you to ponder:

When you do read/study the Word, what is your attitude?

1. I look forward to that time with GREAT anticipation!
2. UGH! I haven’t picked up my Bible in a week! I really should read a verse or two.
3. If I don’t read three chapters a day, I’m going to hell.
4. OK, I’ll read it but I probably won’t get anything from it.
5. Other: ___________________________

So many times we can put the emphasis on making time to spend in God's Word without examining the attitude in which we do it. Which of the above answers reflects your attitude when spending time in the Word? I know that we all would want attitude #1 all of the time but that is usually not the case.

Now let's imagine that you wanted to spend some time with your child or best friend. What if they came to spend time with you and their attitude was #2 (squeezing you in), #3 (duty, obligation or to avoid your anger) or #4 (apathy)?

How would you feel about the quality of that time spent with them? It's not a stretch to imagine that you, like our heavenly Father, would want the time spent to be out of love, anticipation and the desire to be there, no matter how long it may be.

So, here is your challenge for the day...

Examine your attitude about spending time in the Word. If you find it is not what you would like it to be, ask God to help you surrender to Him, allowing Him to change it. And while it may be difficult, realize that He, the Creator of the universe, wants to spend time with you. Do you, His creation, want to spend time with Him? Ponder that today and prepare your heart for my next post which will cover what we can expect when we spend time in God's Word with an attitude of anticipation and expectation.

If you are willing to, please share with me which number you chose above. No judgment ~ I promise! We are all a work in progress! Click here to share.

If you want to explore this topic further, please take a look at this resource.