I have friends who have kept notes in their Bibles for years. They pour through the pages, jotting down thoughts, underlining and highlighting as they mark up the text. Their copies of the Scriptures bloom as they generate wisdom and faith.
I prefer an unmarked Bible. I hope the Holy Spirit reveals fresh insights, and I don’t want to be overly influenced by past writings. That said, I do highlight passages that penetrate my soul and move me toward the Lord. I also keep a journal handy to record thoughts, insights, and questions to investigate later.
Whatever method your choose, make a habit of opening your Bible on a daily basis. Every single day. Wear the book out. Few possessions passed down from generation to generation are more prized than a well-used Bible. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence, but many nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren remember with appreciation and fondness the lives of those who wore out their Bibles.
Every bit of time invested in these pages devoted to our amazing God pays back. As the Scriptures tell us, the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The printed words in this physical book opens our hearts to divine realities.
Make this a year to put some wear and tear on your Bible. Your soul, and eventually those around you, will thank you.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out
“A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t” – Charles H. Spurgeon