Though I read through the chapters in a hurry, God spoke to me through so many verses. There were so many beautiful truths that I learnt and it was wonderful learning them. I tried applying them to my life but was finding it hard. I was reading over 12 chapters a day and learning at least about 10 things that I wanted to apply and I wasn't successful in doing that. Though this practise started with a lot of zeal, I eventually started getting discouraged. I started to think what the use was in reading so much of the Bible if I was not able to apply them to my life and I was worried that I was being just a reader but not a doer.
This discouragement started setting in and the enthusiasm began to fade away and I really felt if it was actually worth it - reading so much of the Bible. God, of course, knew what was going on in my head and in my heart and He caused one of my friends to send me this beautiful forward which really encouraged me and put me back on track to reading more and more of God's word.
COAL BASKET BIBLE
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got very far. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said. "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son."
Take time to read a portion of God's word each day, and remind a friend by sharing what you read. For God so loved the world that He sent His Son to shed His precious blood for me to wash me clean, and because I believe in Him He has promised me I will live eternally. John 11:25-26 & John 15:16. Think how much He loves us!!!
Reading this forward made me realise that it didn't matter if I didn't remember all that I had learnt and if I was not able to apply all that I had learnt but what was important was reading more and more of God's word. The more I read of His word, the cleaner I would be. I'm not saying not to try to be a doer but what I'm trying to say is - Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed in being a doer. Keep trying and Keep reading. Don't stop both.
Strive to read more and more of God's word. You'll begin to experience the beauty of a wonderful relationship with Jesus. Hearing his voice and drawing comfort, strength, encouragement, admonishes from a loving Father. Never get discouraged about not being able to remember and do everything in God's word. Just continue to read more and more from the Bible. Just begin to read and meditate on His word and you will wonder after you've begun how you ever managed without feeding on God's word.
Psalm 1:2,3 - But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (AMP)
Psalm 1:2,3 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (NIV)
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