David Murray writes about a common struggle:
We’ve all been there. Reading the Bible can become boring. Our eyes are on the page but our minds are everywhere else; because everywhere else is just so much more interesting. That black book without pictures just isn’t quite so exciting as the black device that can show us anything in the world in just a click. We may pick up our Bibles, open the pages, and scan the lines, but our hearts just aren’t in it. We force ourselves to read our chapter(s) or fill up our allotted time, but we really can’t wait to finish and get on to much more fascinating and enjoyable things.
And he has some great ideas for coming out of the slump:
- Develop a routine
- Get enough sleep
- Ban the cell phone
- Read a different translation
- Read more slowly (or more quickly)
- Read a devotional first
- Use a study Bible (but be careful with it)
- Find accountability
- See your need
- Remember who is speaking
- Pray
- Serve your church
All Murray’s ideas are great and worth trying. I especially appreciate #12, as we often fail to realize our “boredom” comes from focusing on ourselves, and the solution doesn’t lie within ourselves. As Murray rightly suggests, getting out there and doing something for others will exercise our souls, make us hungry, and make visible our need for strengthening and guidance – thus leading us to “devour God’s Word more greedily.”
Check out Murray’s article for a fuller explanation of each suggestion.
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