My Dear Friends

Dear friends,

I want to share something with you that keeps stirring within my heart. Something I discovered five years ago that has been transforming my life ever since. It’s simple, and something you may not understand the full weight of just yet. But I pray in time that you will. 

It’s light yet heavy. It’s small but powerful. It carries history, romance, laughter, and mystery. It’s older than your great-great-great-great-great grandpa. Want to know what it is?

Some of you may have guessed it: The Bible. Shocking right? I said I’ve been a Christian for years. So, I couldn’t have just discovered the Bible five years ago. What’s the deal? Stick with me and let me explain. 

As I shared a few months back, I was never consistently devoted to reading my Bible. I turned to it in crises. I referred to it in good times too. But it didn’t enter my daily routine. It was part of my Christian “check off list”. I knew it was an important aspect of religious routine. I could value and appreciate that. I knew it had a wellspring of knowledge. But I didn’t think I was smart enough to memorize it and didn’t feel I had the time to immerse myself in it. Spending five-ten minutes a day didn’t seem acceptable enough. I should be taking a half hour and praying for an hour if I wanted to be a strongly devoted Christian right? Wrong. 

Oh friends, if you truly want to grow in Christ, to find peace in all circumstances, to feel the passion of the Holy Spirit burn within you, to watch the Lord transform your life, this is the way to it. 

The Lord was calling out to me. The Holy Spirit nudging my heart to be obedient and sink into His word daily. He only asked me for fifteen minutes of my time. I didn’t get it at first but I asked for the discipline to do it. He knew that I would need my life saturated in it for all that was about to come. 

His word has rocked my life! I am being transformed. I am hearing from the Lord when I seek His will. His word has come to life and intrigued me like never before. I actually crave my morning time with Him. He’s helped me to realize that He is my very breath and Life. “Apart from Him I can do nothing” (John 15:5), yet “all things are possible through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). 

Are you looking for purpose in your life? Get in His word. Are you discouraged and feeling like your drowning in the chaos of the world around you? Get in the Bible. Are you struggling to find value, hope, and answers to the questions deep within your heart? Get into the Scriptures!

Brothers and sisters, this is our “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). This is our map to everything we need in life. We are getting lost in complacency. We are comfortable in our own safe little worlds. Yet, aren’t we supposed to be on mission with good news? Aren’t we supposed to be so fired up with passion for Jesus that people can’t help but notice? 

To be honest, I was tired of striving. I was tired of trying to figure life out and walk to my own beat. Jesus was important, but He wasn’t my all. That has changed. I don’t want a normal life. I don’t want my own plans. As hard as they are to surrender at times, it’s worth it, because when I see God’s plans work out, they leave me in awe. I’m tired of being complacent. I want more to this life. 

The word has offered that. How? By being devoted and obedient to it, it has allowed the Holy Spirit to work in me, transform my heart and way of thinking. He has dug up so many lies and hurts that I held onto. Though it may have been painful at the moment, it brought great healing and freedom. I don’t have to be ashamed or fearful of my past. I don’t have to hold onto the lies I believed identified me. I feel beautiful. I feel free. I feel alive and always wanting more of Jesus. 

That’s what I want for you. That’s what this Christian life is all about. You have a much greater cause and purpose in this life. I’m not talking about vocation. I’m not talking about social circles. I’m talking about the life, pulse, and influence you’re supposed to have to the world around you. “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden”! (Matthew 5:14)

The early disciples risked their lives to get the word about Jesus out. We have brothers and sisters in parts of the world today that are doing the same. Yet we can’t find time in our schedules to read even a few short sentences? What they would give to have a Bible right now as they sit in prison. 

What’s holding you back? What excuses are flooding your mind right now telling you that you don’t have time? Are you feeling convicted? Then do something about it. Start today. Not when you’re tired and will fall asleep doing it. Do it in the morning. Do it at lunch. Do it in the car before you go in the house or work. 

Find a time when your brain isn’t focused on 50 other things. If it is, write them down and deal with them after. If you still don’t feel ready, at least write one or two verses out and post them around your house, car, shower, etc. Meditate on them. Let them sink in and saturate your spirit. Then watch the Lord show up in your life. He will you know. He loves an obedient heart. One that wants to love Him more. 

I pray that you seek Him in His word so that your life can be transformed. If you try to seek Him, He will respond. Let’s get back to what matters most in this life and live like we mean it.

Hope in Him, 

Rachel