The Significance of Every Moment in God's Word: Why Your Bible Reading is Never Wasted

Have you ever sat down to read the Bible and walked away feeling like it was a waste of time? Maybe you didn't gain any new insights or have any profound experiences. It's a frustrating feeling, but it happens to all of us at some point. The good news is that there is no such thing as insignificant or worthless Bible reading. Even if you don't immediately see the application or feel a deep connection, your time spent in God's word is never wasted.

When we read the Bible, we are not just seeking to gain knowledge or learn certain things. We are seeking to become certain types of people. We want the beauty and holiness of God to shape us from the inside out, transforming not just our thoughts, but our hearts and actions as well.

Sometimes, we may be tempted to believe the lie that our time in God's word is worthless. We read passages that seem irrelevant or unimportant to our lives, and we start to question the value of our reading. This is the lie of cynicism, and it can lead us to read the Bible less or skip over parts that we think are less relevant.

Other times, we may doubt ourselves when we don't immediately see the application or gain new insights from our Bible reading. We start to believe that we are not smart enough or spiritual enough to understand God's word. This is the lie of self-doubt, and it can discourage us from continuing to read the Bible.

But the truth is that God's word is always significant and relevant. It is like a fire and a hammer that can break through the hardest of hearts. Even if we don't immediately see the practical significance of what we read, we can trust that God is at work in our hearts and minds. He can do more in ten minutes of "insignificant" Bible reading than all the wisdom of the world combined.

So how do we approach our Bible reading when it seems insignificant or irrelevant? First, we need to remember that our time in God's word is not about us. It is about turning ourselves over to God and allowing him to shape us into the image of his Son. We may not always understand or see the immediate application, but we can trust that God is working in us.

Second, we need to pray after our Bible reading. We can pray for God to transform the words on the page into virtue and grace within us. We can ask him to shape not just our minds, but our whole being, to love what Christ loves and to hate what he hates. Prayer is a powerful tool that can help us connect with God and align our hearts with his will.

Finally, we need to remember that our growth and sanctification are a lifelong process. We may not see all the ways that God is working in our lives at once, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. Just as a seed grows underground before it breaks through the surface, God is at work in us, shaping us and molding us into the image of his Son. Our role is to be faithful in reading and seeking him, and he will take care of the rest.

In conclusion, there is no such thing as insignificant or irrelevant Bible reading. Even if we don't immediately see the application or gain new insights, our time spent in God's word is never wasted. He is always at work in our hearts and minds, shaping us into the image of his Son. So let us approach our Bible reading with faith and expectation, trusting that God will use his word to transform us from the inside out.