A few years ago, a preacher friend of mine asked the provocative question, “If you were stranded on a deserted isle and had no Bible, would you know enough scripture to sustain you?” A bit embarrassing, but I thought about Gilligan before recalling to mind Robinson Crusoe’s 28-year exile – except Crusoe doesn’t quite fit. He had a Bible. But what if he hadn’t? And what if I didn’t? I don’t ever plan to be very far from a Bible, and I can’t imagine finding myself totally cut off from civilization – but do we not often find ourselves in situations that are much like a deserted island in the middle of a sea of unbelief, ill-equipped to spiritually navigate our way clear? Surely, we think, scripture has some word of wisdom or escape here, but we can’t recall what it is – and so a perfect opportunity to put faith into practice is lost.
It was at my friend’s prompting I decided I needed to do some serious spiritual restructuring of my brain. I needed to ensure I had appropriate hooks to hang my faith on so I could make the most of every opportunity as Paul encourages us to do in Ephesians 5:16. Believe me, I still have a long way to go. Paul’s words to the Philippians ring true in my life – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect….” But I have made some conscious decisions to build some spiritual muscle. These are some of the things that have helped.
First don’t get overwhelmed by the task. The Bible is a big book and sometimes, when it’s sitting there, you can think, “I’m never going to know that like I want to.” You are right about that. None of us will. But growing is important. In I Peter 2:2-3, Peter says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” When we start out this way it’s a good start. We will eventually grow to handle a more substantial diet.
Second, and related to the first, read your Bible and mark up passages that get you to think. When you go through again, you’ll see those marks and it will prompt you to think more deeply about what you are reading the second, third… one hundredth time you read it again. I can’t tell you how many times I see some little note I made in the margin of my Bible, sometimes 20 years ago, and it spurs me to some completely new understanding I hadn’t thought of before.
Third, as you are reading along, try to remember the content of what is in the various books of the Bible. Lots of Bibles have subheadings that aren’t original, but they can be helpful. Where can I find the Sermon on the Mount? Well, that’ll be Matthew 5-7. Peter talks to Cornelius in Acts 10. The letters to the seven churches? Revelation 2 and 3. You can also memorize how many chapters are in various books. John has 21 chapters. Isaiah, 66. And if you find yourself saying, “Oh, I think Genesis has about 50 chapters but don’t quote me on that,” or “I think Gideon is in Judges 5 or 6,” that’s okay too. You’re getting a feel for things. Memorizing the books of the Bible in order is also helpful.
Fourth, memorize passages of scripture. Don’t get caught up in memorizing something long or hard if you don’t have it in you to do so. And if something just isn’t sticking, go ahead and work on something else. That’s okay. For me, it’s a lot like running. Sometimes, like in the summer when the days are long and I have more time, I can work on longer runs. When it’s winter and the days are short and I’ve got a lot going on, I don’t run as far. Sometimes I can tackle the hills, sometimes I’ve got to choose the track. Life also has its seasons, and we will need to adjust. Just have something to work on you can handle.
Finally, if you get off-track and find you’ve missed a few days, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back to it. Slightly out of context, but again, Paul can help here – “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:13…
…maybe I’m about ready to get on a boat….