15 Years

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. [Psalm 130.5]

Today marks 15 years that I have been reading the Bible on an annual reading plan (One Year Bible and One Year Chronological Bible) and responding to what I read here in this blog. Although I feel a sense of accomplishment, more so, I have an acute awareness that I am beginning to put my hope in God's Word. I am counting on Him. And, even though the world's "solution pool" is vast (a natural, medical, scientific, technological, or academic answer to almost everything), more and more I find peace and simplicity in the Solution of God's Word.

For all the difficulties life has to throw at me, I find that God's Word gives me hope. God's Word gives me hope for myself. God's Word gives me hope for my family. God's Word gives me hope for my friends. God's Word give me hope for the Church. God's Word gives me hope for the world. 

But this hope did not develop over night.

I do not regret these past 15 years of commitment to God's Word. In fact, my only regret is that I did not come to this commitment early in my alleged 'walk with God.' The sad (and embarrassing) truth is that only 15 of just over 40 years of marriage have I genuinely focused on God's Word with any kind of commitment and regularity. That is 25 years of marriage without the daily help of God's Word - and those 25 years unfortunately included the years of child-raising. How vulnerable did I leave my family in those important years?

While 15 years may seem like a lot, when compared to the vastness of possibilities found within God's Word, it really is miniscule. As I see today the growth I have experienced over these years, I see that the commitment has paid off in "hope in His Word" ...and I want, and need, more. The LORD and anyone who reads this blog knows I need more.

So, I conclude that the "time" is not really the accomplishment, however the commitment is. But then, the commitment is not so much an accomplishment as it is a submission.

As I set out to write today, it was with the intention that I might celebrate an accomplishment. However, as I put my thoughts down here, I realize that the only measurement of accomplishment before God is submission. And, submission to God can really only be measured in faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Hmm. It comes back to this:

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. [Psalm 130.5]

Father, I am counting on You. You are good and Your faithful love endures forever.