God's Word vs. Novels: What do you crave?

I couldn't help but stare at those pages. So many Bibles in sight: sitting on people's laps, scribbled notes, and the soft crinkle of the pages turning.

I was sitting in the balcony at church smooshed between two girls from my small group. The church was completely packed on that sticky Friday night, people coming in each night that week to worship the Lord and hear from speakers. My church wanted to revive the city for the mission we were called upon, as well as give generously to inner-city ministries (if you want a peak, check out Summer For the City). It was a huge week of growth for me, but the one big thing I took way from it were all was those Bibles open on people's laps. Different covers, sizes, and types of hands holding them.

At that exact moment sitting on the balcony, I couldn't help but think of Martin Luther. Weird, right? Not a common guy you think of every day. But at that moment I felt an immense amount of gratitude for him and his bravery for changing the face of the Church. What I would give to read one of his 95 theses plastered on the door of Castle Church. I know, I'm a very weird dreamer.

[pullquote width="300" float="right"]"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105[/pullquote]

Have you ever really thought about it though? How blessed we are to be able to hold God's word, to study and learn it...and to get closer to Him? Have you ever really thanked your Pastor for the amount of time he puts into studying God's word in order to preach week after week?

"But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" -Matthew 4:4

If I had to evaluate a piece of text that I know inside and out, I would say it's Harry Potter. I can pull out a lot of different facts about those books because I have read each of them multiple times. I get giddy if I am able to block out a time to read Harry Potter, because let's face it, I'm so addicted that I have to chunk out a large portion of my day because once I start I can't stop.

I wish I could crave the Word and know it like I know Harry Potter.

I wish I could study the Word so in depth like my pastors do at Harvest Bible Chapel. Just imagine what the world would be like if we craved God's word like we crave our favorite books. Thanks to my second main man Martin (Jesus being the first, duh), we are able to have that opportunity.

"For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." - 1 Peter 1:24-25

So ask yourself truthfully: How often do you actually open your Bible?

I'm not talking about a devotional book or your next Christian read, but the actual Word of the Lord?

I challenge you this summer to crack open those pages and study it like the source of wisdom that it is. Because trust me, you're going to get more out of that then you would any other text in the entire world.

"Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." -1 Timothy 4:13

Everything you need to know about life and your purpose in this world can be found in the midst of those pages. For centuries, people have been finding solace, guidance, encouragement and unconditional love in this book. It's a text that never fades, and its power never diminishes. The words and lessons are still as applicable today as they were when Jesus walked this Earth.

But, first, you must open the book - open it and study it with hunger. At first, it might be hard to understand what you're reading, the language, the purpose. But, stick with it and day by day, I promise you, the words will seep into your heart and life and light your way into a beautiful relationship with your Heavenly Father.

First image by Yelena Bosovik, second via.