In our hyper-connected, always-on society, it's easy to fall into the trap of treating our spiritual lives like just another item on our to-do list. Recently, a conversation with a friend highlighted this modern dilemma in a way that really struck me. She mentioned she was listening to the entire book of Psalms in just 40 days - an admirable goal, but one that got me thinking about the quality of our engagement with Scripture.
Don't get me wrong - there's definitely value in reading or listening to large portions of the Bible. It can give us a broad overview and help us see the big picture of God's story. But as we chatted, we both realized there's a stark contrast between this approach and the intentional slowness of the BibleWriting method.
The Rush of Modern Spirituality
In our fast-paced world, it's tempting to approach our spiritual lives with the same hurried efficiency we apply to other areas. We speed-read devotionals, listen to Scripture at 1.5x speed while multitasking, and check "Bible time" off our daily list. But in doing so, are we missing out on the deep, transformative experience God intends for us when we engage with His Word?
The Psalmist writes, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, WEB). This verse invites us into a posture of stillness and reflection - a stark contrast to the rushed, distracted approach we often take to spiritual matters.
The BibleWriting Difference: Intentional Slowness
This is where the BibleWriting method shines. By its very nature, it requires us to slow down, to be intentional, to engage deeply with every word we write. Here's how it cultivates spiritual depth:
Presence: When you sit down to transcribe Scripture, you're creating a dedicated space for just you and God's Word. It's harder for distractions to creep in when your hand is actively forming each letter.
Reflection: As you write, you naturally pause to think about what you're transcribing. This creates space for the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the text.
Meditation: The act of writing helps embed the words in your mind and heart. As Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed person: "but his delight is in Yahweh's law. On his law he meditates day and night" (WEB).
Rest: There's something peaceful about the rhythmic act of writing. It can become a form of rest in God's presence, echoing Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest" (WEB).
[Personal Note] I have to pause here and share something personal. While writing this post and reflecting on this verse, I was deeply moved. The words "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened" seemed to leap off the page. In that moment of contemplation, as I was writing these words into the blog post, I felt the weight of my own burdens and the immense comfort of Jesus' invitation. I nearly teared up as I considered each word, feeling the tender care of our Savior in a fresh, powerful way. This experience reinforced for me the profound impact that can come from slowing down, writing, and truly absorbing God's Word. While I wasn't transcribing in the formal BibleWriting method, I was writing scripture into my blog post, and the effect was similarly powerful. It's a testament to how intentional engagement with Scripture, especially when combined with the act of writing, can open our hearts to God's voice.
Deep Roots in a Shallow World
In our conversation, my friend and I reflected on how easy it is to skim the surface of Scripture without letting it truly penetrate our hearts. The prophet Jeremiah compares a person who trusts in the Lord to "a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river" (Jeremiah 17:8, WEB). This image of deep roots seeking nourishment is a beautiful picture of what can happen when we slow down and truly engage with God's Word.
The BibleWriting method encourages us to send our roots deep. Instead of rushing through chapters, we linger over verses, allowing them to soak into our souls. This intentional slowness creates space for God to work in us, transforming us from the inside out.
An Invitation to Pause
As we wrap up, I want to extend an invitation to you. In a world that constantly pushes us to go faster, to do more, to consume information at breakneck speeds, dare to slow down. Try the BibleWriting method. Create space in your life to be still, to reflect, to let God's Word sink deep into your heart.
Remember, spiritual growth isn't about how much of the Bible you can get through in a day. It's about how much of the Bible gets through to you. As you practice intentional engagement with Scripture through BibleWriting, you may find that you're not just reading the Word - you're allowing the Word to read you, to speak into your life in profound and transformative ways.
So, pick up your pen. Open your Bible. And prepare to experience the power of pause in your spiritual journey. You might be surprised, as I was with Matthew 11:28, how a familiar verse can suddenly come alive and touch your heart in a new way when you give it the time and attention it deserves. To start your BibleWriting journey, I encourage you to select a volume of The Transcriber's Bible. Whether you choose to begin with the Psalms, the Gospels, or any other book, you'll be taking a significant step towards deeper engagement with God's Word. Let the journey of intentional, transformative Scripture engagement begin!