I had to buy some new tires for my car this week.

As a woman, I can’t think of too many purchases that are as completely unsatisfying as the purchase of new tires.  Typically, if I am going to drop money on something (especially big money like tires can be), I like it to be seen!  New tires are just straight up unglamorous!

I’d rather buy new furniture, new clothes, or something fun for the kitchen!  Even pretty landscaping is more exciting than new tires!

However, from time to time, it is necessary to spend money on unsatisfying things, like tires.  But I realize that when I do, I have peace of mind.  I know that I am safer on the road.  I worry less about a blowout on the freeway with new tires.  I also get better gas mileage and have better control of my vehicle.  Rough roads or bad weather don’t worry me as much with those new tires.  Sigh. 

Let’s consider something else that might seem unsatisfying (or seem like it gets in the way of more fun and desirable things that we could invest our time in) but also brings peace of mind and preparation for potentially rough roads-reading the Bible.

There.  I said it. 

I know there have been times when I have felt this way, and I bet that you have too.

But I know that If I want safety and security on the road, sometimes, I need to spend some money on tires.

And if I want peace and security in my thought life, and in the struggles I face every day, I need to spend time with God. 

Regularly.

If you and I are going to move from the women we are into the women we want to become, and into the fullness of all that God has for us, we have to invest some time. 

Change does not happen magically, it happens intentionally.

What does scripture have to say about spending time with God?

1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us this, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always”.  Where can we look to the Lord?  How can we seek His face?  Where can He be found?  In His word, the Bible. 

Mark 1:35 gives us a beautiful example of this in Jesus.  He was fully God, and also, fully man.  And because He was a man, He needed to spend time with His Father in heaven.  Here’s what Jesus did, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  He got alone with God.  This chapter was written during a time when Jesus was healing and teaching often.  It was a very draining time physically and emotionally to be sure.  So, because He knew that He was going to be doing so much within His day, He needed time alone.  He needed time to be with God.

Jesus was preparing for rough roads.  And each time he stole away from the disciples, or the crowds, to spend time with God, He was essentially buying new tires.

Even the sleekest, most beautiful cars, don’t get very far without good tires!  It matters when we use our resources and time on things that are not seen, as well as those that are.

The more time we spend with God, the more closely He will be involved in our lives.  I’m certain that in your life you have had to develop relationships of various kinds.  Spending time together is necessary to get to know someone well.  You may have had to develop friendships, or a relationship with someone you were interested in romantically, or even relationships with new co-corkers.  Deepening those human relationships takes an investment of time.  We seek to get to know the person better through dialog and observation.  We may talk on the phone or even meet up for coffee to become more familiar with that person.  When we do, we learn new things about them.

It is much the same with our relationship with God.  If we want to know His heart, and more completely sense His presence in us, we will desire to spend time with Him.  We do this best through reading His word.  It has been said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us!  He shows us so much about Himself there. 

It’s where He tells us that He loves us in John 3:16.

It’s where He says He’ll keep His promises in Hebrews 10:23.

It’s where He tells us that He is always with us in Deuteronomy 31:6.

It’s where He says that we are His in 1 John 3:1.

It’s where He says that He is working in our lives in Ephesians 3:20.

It’s where He says He’ll give us strength in Philippians 4:13.

God speaks to us primarily through His word.  But we can’t hear Him if we aren’t listening or giving Him the opportunity.  God will most often draw near to us when we draw near to Him.  We cannot truly expect to deepen and grow our relationship with God if we are not reading the Bible.

Don’t believe me?

I double dog dare you to try it for two weeks and see if you don’t notice a change in your heart.  Invest the time you need to, to be road ready, by reading the word of God. It’s like getting new tires.  You can certainly find more glamorous ways to spend your time, but will you get a better and more lasting return for your investment?

I doubt it.

If we want to know God’s will for our lives, we have to look to His word.  And when we invest a piece of our day seeking Him there, we begin to change.  Romans 12:2 says it this way, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Not sure where to read? Open your Bible to the book of John in the New Testament.  John gives us a clear picture of Jesus, who He is and how He loves us.  Or, if you want to read the bible on your phone or tablet, the You Version Bible app has hundreds of reading plans to make it easy. 

Grab your Bible (or app), maybe a yummy warm drink, and go!  Pray, and read.  You may not notice a huge difference immediately, but you might.  However, if you keep it up for a while, you surely will see God at work.  You will sense His peace and presence.  You will notice Him changing you on the inside, where it matters most. 

He’s ready. Are you?

Lord, I want to get to know You better.  I want to give you priority in my day, wherever that fits best.  My desire is that You and I can deepen the love relationship we have into something strong and beautiful.  I open my heart to you now and ask that You speak to me through Your word.  Amen!

Purposefully,

Shelli