As the year closed and the new one began, did you evaluate yourself spiritually, looking back and looking forward? Can you see spiritual growth in your life? If so, do you want more? If not, do you want it this year? Bible reading is the right priority in your life, and it is key to spiritual growth.

God’s Word

God gives us the path to spiritual growth. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Too Busy? Too Tired?

I’ve learned something about people. They find time for things that are important to them. The Word is what nourishes and sustains our souls and keeps us going when things are crazy, hectic, overwhelming, hurtful, or troubling. You name it—God’s Word helps us with it. Bible reading is the right priority. Therefore, I must be in the Word. We make time to eat physical food. Nourishing our souls is just as critical as nourishing our bodies. I remember the days of babies, preschoolers, and homeschooling. I heard moms in that stage of life say, “I don’t have time to read my Bible. I would like to, but I have so much to do, and I am too tired to get up early. God understands. This is just a stage in my life. Things will be different later.”

While that sounded appealing to my flesh, my soul had a deep need. Like that newborn baby Peter talks about, I longed for the milk of the Word so I could grow spiritually. Sisters, you know babies aren’t put off easily from eating. They are insistent and demanding. That is the attitude we need toward time in the Word—an attitude that nothing will keep us from it. 

Early Will I Seek Thee

I understand the problem of not having time for Bible reading, but I also learned the solution. Make a scheduled time, an appointment if you will, with the Lord and your Bible. When you get up early to read your Bible before family life begins, you have fewer interruptions, you gather spiritual manna to carry you through the rest of the day, you focus on what is truly important, and you begin the day abiding in the Vine. You carry truth from the Word in your heart and mind as you move into your daily tasks. “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psalms 63:1).

Starts Even Earlier

Here’s the secret to getting up early to have time with the Lord. Go to bed early! You won’t get up with your alarm if you haven’t had enough sleep. I can almost guarantee that. You will make an excuse about needing more sleep, roll over, and go back to sleep. And in doing that, you reap negative consequences all day. How sweet it is, though, to rise before the children, get your Bible, and spend time with your Lord—praising, worshipping, delighting, feeding, learning, growing, and being nurtured. 

You might tell me how much you have to do at night and that you can’t go to bed early. Sister, evaluate your priorities. Is texting, computer time, dishes, laundry—whatever is keeping you up—more important than Jesus, more important than drinking the sincere milk of the Word, more important than the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

If you are staying up late for those tasks, implement a daily schedule, and they can be accomplished before bedtime. 

Dear Sisters, no more excuses, no more wishing it was different, no more living without spiritual milk and manna, no more good plans for tomorrow. Choose today, the beginning of a new year, to do what God tells us will help you be what He wants you to be and what you want to be as well.

Do you need help putting together time in the Word? If so, we have two resources available: Managers of Their Homes (for scheduling) and Sweet Journey (for spiritual discipline).