My first week at the Great Commission Bible Institute in Avon Park was a crazy time of epic adventure. As soon as I got there on August 20th our group of twenty-four students traveled through the deserts of Egypt, Lebanon, and Israel together. From dragons to giants, sea creatures and demons, we saw unimaginable creatures. We met kings and soldiers, pharaohs and slaves, high priests and farmers. We jumped all the way back to the creation of the heavens and earth, we saw ancient history being acted out, prophecies being fulfilled, promises made and broken, and finally hope restored.
It seems hard to believe we could do all of this and so much more in just over one week. The tales of war and destruction we witnessed, slaves running for their lives from angry masters, people being dramatically changed and transformed, the diseased being healed, the forces of good and evil doing battle over and over again. In the midst of all of these different stories was one overarching theme, a love so great all of the heavenly hosts and everything in this universe was created to witness and take part in it.
All of this to say our class read the entirety of the Bible in eight days. Honestly, when I read the class description six months ago I didn’t believe it was possible, but we did it by taking turns reading aloud for 8-10 hours a day. Now I don’t know how I have managed to NOT READ the Bible so intensively until this time. I can’t imagine anything better for me and my walk with Christ then digging knee-deep into His Word and wading through.
Real talk, there was a lot of content I missed. My attention span is so limited and I often found myself drifting from the pages. However, there were two HUGE takeaways that have really changed my perspective and the way I approach God’s Word.
(1). Have you ever found yourself reading the contents of the Old Testament and thinking to yourself…..”what the WHAT!?” There is some pretty creepy stuff in there. Heavy, violent, and scary. When I was younger I would find myself questioning, how does GOD connect to Jesus? How can the God who aides in the wars of an army; destroying whole cities, plundering and leveling entire nations, swallowing up multiple generations of families due to one man’s mistake, be the same God who preaches love, patience, and forgiveness? Be the same God who willingly goes to a cross to be murdered for us?
I honestly couldn’t see it…until now. Reading the Bible so quickly and in chronological order the way the events took place has opened up my mind and my heart to make the connection. I see Him now. The way He has loved and cared for His people despite all of their mistakes. The way that He protected and provided for her, and doomed any nation who would lay a hand on her. Finally, I see His tender patience with her year after year and His broken heart when she would turn away from Him. Connecting Him with Jesus, who preaches the same thing with His people on a different scale…moving from the nation of Israel, to the church full of all nations (Isaiah 56:7, Mark 11:17).
It truly is a beautiful love story of God’s faithful affection for His people, a story that predates even the creation of the world. During a time when one of His creations wanted to overthrow His position and spun lies about His character (Rev 12:7-10). The Lord said to His angels, watch I’m going to show you who I AM. Thus, beginning the story of this world and everything in it, a God who doesn’t want to rule, but who desires relationship with His creations. (Galatians 4:8-9). And we get to be part of it.
(2) There were many years in my life when this exercise would have seemed like such a chore to me. No doubt I would have complained about the late nights and seemingly pointless challenge. Thank you Lord for seeing fit to send me around the world and meet people who would do anything to have the opportunity I have right now. Every time my thoughts turned negative I was reminded of the precious family in Jordan who lost their church and were forced by authorities to flee from their home. I remembered the conversations with my dear sisters in Kyrgyzstan who have been dismissed from their homes and families because they are choosing to put their faith in the hope Christ offers us. My mind is flooded with the stories of brother turning against brother, wives fleeing from their husbands, pastors being arrested, churches forced to meet in secret…the list goes on and on. When it doesn’t seem like enough to do it for myself, I do it for them.
I remember what it was like to smuggle Christian literature overseas and whisper conversations about hope and freedom over coffee with a student. To see a Chinese woman get up without fear and evangelize to an entire train of people with the strength and courage of royalty. All of these memories and experiences have collected to create a combined resolve to fight for the value of what I have been allowed to read for eight days straight. What I saw in this Book is no longer a far off notion of things without relevance. The miracles, the Law, the oppression, the persecution, the hope, and the love is as real today as it was when the stories were written. I’ve seen it, heard it and sometimes I lived it. That is why when I was reading out loud the testimony of John regarding Jesus’ crucifixion I was holding back my tears. For what He says to the disciples the hour before He was arrested was as clear as if He was talking to me today “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)
And He has. I know it to be true.
This is why I am overjoyed with my weary eyes, my sore throat and clouded mind as I become so tired from reading God’s Word. I intend on taking full advantage of the opportunity I know so many others would sacrifice everything for this year. With gratitude I praise God and remember what Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans “…we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5). Reading the Bible a tribulation? A sacrifice? There was a time it would have felt like one. Thanks to the Lord for transforming my mind and opening my eyes to cherishing His Word. To better recognizing the truth of what an honor it is to be weary from reading the Bible day after day. To live and go to school without fear of learning about Christ and what His word teaches us. I am so happy for the new growth and knowledge I will gain to better support what I believe in.
“Jesus said to him, “because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”” -John 20:29
GCBI class of 2020
**If you ever want to talk Bible, Christianity, Faith, or Jesus please send me a message, it’s my favorite thing.
Em! This is insane! So glad you had this experience that I’m sure you’ll never forget. I can’t imagine the overview you had if God’s grand story after reading it all in 8 days. I finish reading it through in a year in November! (Lol). I’m doing the Seamless Bible study right now and I love making the tiny connections of how it’s literally ALL tied together. Again, so glad you got to do this! How intense and awesome! Love always
Did you read a specific Chronological Bible and if so which one and what translation? You are right, in that your world missionary experiences has made this all come “alive” to you. So thankful you are doing this. Congratulations!
The first thing that comes to mind is…WOW! I’ve never been out of the country but the stories I hear from thise who have, including yours, make me appreciate the country we live in but most of all the value of the Word of God. Thank you for sharing this. Praying for you.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Praying for a great year ahead.
Ohh love! I love this so much! I love seeing where God brought you to where you are now and seeing him raise you up into this beautiful person. Im pretty sure I only saw like 5% of it and there is like A GAZILLION more things he is going to do. So cool to watch. I love you dear.
Wow…inspiration to get in the Word more! I’m excited for your studies and what the Lord for you in this next season.
Thanks Tera!! I’m so glad to hear you are appreciating your Bible and picking up on the little connections, it’s been blowing my mind!! I’ve really enjoyed it so far. Love you!
Yes it’s true my experiences have really given me eyes to see the Word differently!!
Thank you for reading and responding to what I’ve been processing! I am truly loving the foundation I feel I am gaining through this experience.
Thank you daddy!!
Aw babbbbbeeee! So good to hear from you sis. Thank you for commenting, He has really brought it all together for me in such a perfect way! I can’t imagine anything better for me now looking back. Love you so much and miss you!!
Absolutely yessss!! Thank you so much Kathy!