I recently sang this song to my eight-month-old granddaughter, Charlotte Rose.
“Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones, to Him belong.
They are weak, but He is strong.”
She fluttered her eyelashes and giggled as only she can do (swoon), as if she understood those reassuring words.
Could the message of Christ really be this simple? Summarized in one beloved children’s song or a favorite verse?
Of course, it can. And it is.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
It’s all there. The whole plan from start to finish, in only a couple of lines.
Still, we need to dig deeper. Read more. Cling more. Crave more.
I’ll be honest. I’ve become a bit lazy with my Bible reading. In 2020, I had more time than ever on my hands, but I opened my Bible less.
How can this be? And furthermore, did it make a difference?
Yes, it made an enormous difference in my outlook.
Soon, the hateful and terrifying messages the world was screaming trickled in through the door I left open. With nothing to balance that out, I no longer knew who to trust or what to believe.
But my Bible has been there all along, waiting for me to return.
Based on research done in 2009 by the Center for Bible Engagement, people who spend at least four days reading their Bible each week are:
Thirty percent less likely to struggle with loneliness or destructive thoughts.
Fifty-seven percent less likely to turn to alcohol or other substance abuse.
This was long before Covid-19 left us feeling more isolated than ever, but it confirms we need the positive message from the Bible on an ongoing basis. Our souls crave time alone with God. He’s the One who redirects our steps, puts us back together, and allows us to look back with no regrets.
There’s another side to those statistics. Those who spend this kind of quality time in the Word are also:
228% more likely to share their faith (offering a sense of hope to those who cross our paths).
407% more likely to memorize scripture (clinging to the words of the One who created us).
That sounds like a win/win situation to me.
Jesus loves me.
“Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7 NIV).
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
“Do not fear” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).
It’s all there, and it really is that simple. All I must do is knock. For the Bible tells me so.
