From Duty to Delight
Four groggy, bed-headed, pajama clad children, Bibles in tow, trickled into the living room and plopped themselves on the sofa as the smell of my coffee wafted in the air and the cat tried to get himself a sip before I shooed him away. The typical, “Mom, he’s not on his own square of the couch” complaints had just begun as I pulled out the memorization cards I had created and laminated the day before.
Psalm 1
This would be the third time in my career as a homeschool mother I had worked through memorizing this psalm with my "students." That morning as they were repeating after me my thoughts drifted. One tiny voice repeated, “nor stands in the way of sinners,” as I stared at my then 15-year-old daughter. And “be careful of the friends you choose” whispered to her in my brain. Another child repeated, “and on his law he meditates day and night” just as “Mecka-lecka hi mecka-hiney ho“ from Pee Wee’s Playhouse entered the corners of my ADHD mind. I was this close to being pulled into a full-on zone out when the word “delight” jumped off the page and caught my fleeting attention.
Delight isn’t a word that I would have used at the time to describe how I felt about God’s Word. If I’m being honest, reading and studying the Bible was something that I did because I was supposed to, and it was dry and boring to me, but I had a fear that if I didn’t read it, especially with my kids, that we would all “be like the chaff that the wind drives away” and it would be my fault.
That morning, God’s Word was a mirror that showed me what my heart was missing. Delight! I knew something wasn’t right in me, and I began to pray that God would course correct my heart and teach me so that I could delight in His Word. For several months I would pray this prayer before reading the Bible. Afterwards, I asked myself: “How could what I just read cause me to delight?” and I journalled whatever thoughts of realization or gratitude came to mind. Slowly, I began to realize a shift from feeling like I had to read my Bible to feeling enjoyment and anticipation in reading it. It’s not a transformation that I can fully describe to you now, but I praise God that He was so attentive to me in my inattentiveness, to show me what I was missing and how to get there. I am reminded of John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” This is what He longs to do in our hearts as we read His Word daily.
If your daily Bible study isn’t characterized by delight, I would encourage you to ask God to help you get there. Some encouragement and recommendations from others that have helped me:
In addition to the enjoyable changes I have noticed in my own relationship with God and His Word, I have observed that “delight” creates curiosity in others and is contagious. Always be willing to share this joy you have with others. It will fuel their appetite for delight, while reinforcing the things you are learning in your own mind and heart. Delight is a gift straight from God’s treasure trove to our hearts. Seek after it with all of yours.
Psalm 1
This would be the third time in my career as a homeschool mother I had worked through memorizing this psalm with my "students." That morning as they were repeating after me my thoughts drifted. One tiny voice repeated, “nor stands in the way of sinners,” as I stared at my then 15-year-old daughter. And “be careful of the friends you choose” whispered to her in my brain. Another child repeated, “and on his law he meditates day and night” just as “Mecka-lecka hi mecka-hiney ho“ from Pee Wee’s Playhouse entered the corners of my ADHD mind. I was this close to being pulled into a full-on zone out when the word “delight” jumped off the page and caught my fleeting attention.
Delight isn’t a word that I would have used at the time to describe how I felt about God’s Word. If I’m being honest, reading and studying the Bible was something that I did because I was supposed to, and it was dry and boring to me, but I had a fear that if I didn’t read it, especially with my kids, that we would all “be like the chaff that the wind drives away” and it would be my fault.
That morning, God’s Word was a mirror that showed me what my heart was missing. Delight! I knew something wasn’t right in me, and I began to pray that God would course correct my heart and teach me so that I could delight in His Word. For several months I would pray this prayer before reading the Bible. Afterwards, I asked myself: “How could what I just read cause me to delight?” and I journalled whatever thoughts of realization or gratitude came to mind. Slowly, I began to realize a shift from feeling like I had to read my Bible to feeling enjoyment and anticipation in reading it. It’s not a transformation that I can fully describe to you now, but I praise God that He was so attentive to me in my inattentiveness, to show me what I was missing and how to get there. I am reminded of John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” This is what He longs to do in our hearts as we read His Word daily.
If your daily Bible study isn’t characterized by delight, I would encourage you to ask God to help you get there. Some encouragement and recommendations from others that have helped me:
- It’s okay to stay in the “I have to do this” mindset while you wait for God to change your heart – just keep reading and praying.
- Read through the Bible chronologically. (Just trust me on this one.) I enjoy The Bible Recap one-year reading plan and daily podcast. If a seven-day reading plan is too burdensome for you, commit to four days a week. You will still read through your entire Bible in under two years. If you get off track, that’s ok. No need to do three days’ worth of reading to get back on track. Just read the next day’s reading. Remember, it’s a delight, not a duty!
- Never stop memorizing and rememorizing Scripture. Ephesians 2, Philippians 2, Psalm 16, and Psalm 103 have been some of my favorite passages to memorize. I find I constantly need a refresh on passages I’ve previously learned and circle back to them to re-memorize.
- Learn in community. Take advantage of what Stones has to offer. Join a Bible study or small group. Ask the older woman who sits behind you in service on Sunday mornings to go get coffee with you and discuss what you are learning or questions you may have. Find a battle buddy who is willing to learn, memorize, and pray alongside you.
In addition to the enjoyable changes I have noticed in my own relationship with God and His Word, I have observed that “delight” creates curiosity in others and is contagious. Always be willing to share this joy you have with others. It will fuel their appetite for delight, while reinforcing the things you are learning in your own mind and heart. Delight is a gift straight from God’s treasure trove to our hearts. Seek after it with all of yours.
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