The New Year is upon us. The start of a new year means different things to different people.

For some it is a whole new beginning; a fresh start that they've been looking forward to.

For others it is yet another step closer to the end, the end of an era, the end of a life, but an end all the same.

For some it's the end of a year that they are ready to be done with. For others it is the end of the year of a lifetime. Some anticipate it, some dread it.

How 'bout you? Where do you find yourself in these final days of 2009?

Have you thought about your plans for 2010? Have you taken time to identify your walnuts (God's will for your life) and examine your rice? (the busy-ness of life?)

May I be so bold to choose your #1 walnut for the coming year: Read God's word!

For those who are already doing so, consider switching it up this year - read from a new translation, or if you've been reading from a modern day translation, read from the King James Version this year. Ask God to help you understand what you're reading and how it applies to your life. Ask God to speak Truth from His word into your everyday busy-ness. He delights in our search to grow in our relationship with Him!

If you are thinking "I've tried that, I didn't understand it, why bother wasting my time" think on this: Do you understand how the water from an aquifer deep below the earth's surface gets into the pipes that connect to your sink? Really? Do you understand how it gets cleaned and purified before it cleans your clothes, your dishes, and your body? Really?

Do you understand, really understand, how putting the gas nozzle in that little hole transfers fuel from the pump to your vehicle and in turn works with all the pieces and parts in the engine to get you where you need to go? Really?

Do you fully understand how flipping a switch on the wall lights up a dark room? Do you understand that whole "energy conversion" process? Really?

And if you don't understand it do you still use it or do you say "I don't understand it so I'm not even going to try to use it!"

Honestly, God's word is at times a mystery to me. Yet even when I don't fully understand it, I still know that when it's in me it changes me, it cleans and purifies me - my thoughts, my desires - it works with all the parts in my life to get me where I need to be. It lights me up, even during the darkest days. What I do understand is life changing for me, and what I don't understand I choose to take by faith.

Give it a try, choose this year - 2010 - to read God's word each and every day. Make it a walnut in your life. And if you miss a day, don't give up! It's a bit like starting a diet - a spiritual diet - if you miss a day on your diet you don't stop eating 'til January 1 of the following year! Same with reading God's word, if you miss a day don't think you need to wait until next year to start reading again!

Reading God's word is spiritual nutrition for our souls! We must ingest nutrients in order to live a healthy physical life, otherwise we will be malnourished. We must read God's word to live a healthy spiritual life; otherwise we will be spiritually malnourished.

If you search "one year Bible" you can print a daily reading guide. (and if you use www.goodsearch.com for your search engine you can support Circle of Friends Ministries of Sugarcreek, Ohio in the process!)

There are many Bibles designed especially for this purpose. Whether you choose to use your own Bible with a reading guide or a specific one year devotional type Bible is simply your personal preference. Choose whatever works best for you - but choose, this day, to allow God's word to work in your life, in your heart, and in your soul. Really!

Until next time.

Beth

Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)

Labels: Beth