About two-and-a-half years ago I embarked upon a reading
challenge of sorts — a challenge I set for myself — a challenge that I’ve since
dubbed The Ultimate Reading Challenge.
And it’s impacted my life in such a way that I feel compelled to share it with
you. But before I divulge the nitty-gritty, I want to explain what brought me
to the point of this challenge in the first place.
As I’ve mentioned before, I have always held a deep love for
the written word. And since I am now an author, I’ve found that books hold more
value, for me, than they once did. Mostly because I realize what it takes for a
book to become a reality — how much time, energy, and love are poured into each
page — from the earliest imaginings to the latest publications. Every story is
unique and indelibly imprinted with a piece of its creator’s soul. Therefore,
it takes a lot of courage for an author to finally release a work for the world to see and critique.
With having joined the masses of those who openly bare their
souls, I understand the elations and disappointments that inevitably follow. And
let’s be honest, there are more books available to read than there are readers
to read them…. Yep, not exactly the kind of nugget you want to uncover as a
novice author. Actually, it’s a pretty hard pill to swallow for any author,
even if you’re someone who doesn’t hold grandiose dreams…. So, after many tears
and prayers, I’m learning to write solely for the love of writing, and in order
for me to write to the best of my ability, I have to continually follow my
calling.
Which leads me to The Ultimate Reading Challenge itself.... In all
my confusion, I began to misconstrue tangible results with success. But success
is not always tangibly measurable, not in life and especially not when it comes
to books. You see, when I started to complain about what I couldn’t see I was
reminded about the Creator of the Universe. And it dawned on me in a new light
that God had chosen to reveal Himself through the written Word—that He’s an author, too.
That tidbit of information I’d taken for granted since childhood instantaneously transformed
my point of view and my life. Suddenly, it felt as if I finally understood a
small aspect of who God really is—that I could somehow relate to Him on a more
intimate level. Mind you, my elation was short-lived and rapidly replaced by utter
shame. It had been years since I had read the Bible in its entirety. And I
couldn’t help but ask myself ... What value, in actuality, did I place on God and
His Word, considering my actions? As an author, I long for my books to be
read and have even found myself disappointed, at times, by those friends and family
members who seem disinterested. But isn’t that exactly how I'd been treating
God’s Word—with similar disinterest? And it was then when I realized what I had
to do—I had to once again read through the Bible in its entirety.
I figured the most realistic goal I could attain was to read
it through within a year’s time. So, I downloaded a Bible app on my smartphone
and began reading. I’m happy to say that I stuck with my goal and actually
finished one month ahead of schedule. Now, I’m on my third round of reading
through in one year and am loving it. With the continuation of this challenge,
I’ve begun mixing it up a little by selecting a different version with a
different reading plan (Beginning to End, Canonical, Historical, Chronological,
New Testament 1st, etc.). I’ve also begun to prayerfully read,
asking God to reveal what He would have me to know so I’m not relying on my own
understanding based on what I’ve been taught. It’s amazing the truths you will
find when you view the Bible for what it is and realize that God, the Creator of
the Universe, cared enough to reveal Himself in written form.
So, here comes the actual challenge…. I would love for you to embark
upon this journey with me. Whether you’ve never read the entire Bible or have
but haven’t in a while or even if you have just finished a similar plan, why not
join this Ultimate Reading Challenge? Find an app (if you already haven't) for your smartphone, Kindle (what
I use now), Nook, laptop, or whatever electronic devise works best for you. Or simply
Google a one year reading plan, open a physical Bible, and join with me on this incredible challenge. (Here's one to try if you're a one-click kind of person: https://www.backtothebible.org/one-year-reading-plans.)
In the beginning, I started with the Touch Bible App(http://www.touchbible.org/) then moved on to the Bible.is App (http://www.bible.is/apps) but have since found that the YouVersion Bible App (https://www.youversion.com/apps) is, in my opinion,
one of the most user-friendly apps with numerous options available to tailor-make your reading experience just the way you want it. There’s a feature for setting
up a daily reminder so you’ll never forget to read again. It even offers
several versions (including the KJV) in audio format so you can forgo reading
and simply listen—definitely a great asset for those who are constantly on the
go with little downtime for reading. Mind you, these aren't the only free Bible apps out there. So, if none of these are for you then do a little research and find one that suites your taste. There are definitely plenty to choose from. And honestly, in our modern age, we have no
excuse not to be able say we’ve read the entire Bible, not once but multiple
times throughout our lives.
To give you a little perspective on why this challenge is well-worth
the effort let me give you some food for thought on just how unique the Bible is.... The Bible IS the greatest love story ever written. And unlike most love stories, it IS the only book written by an Author who actually loves
every person who reads it and longs for a personal relationship with them. It IS the only book a reader can read multiple times and continuously fall deeper in love with its Author. It IS the only book written by an Author who is always present when its being read. It IS the only book that contains everything needed to live a victorious,
prosperous life. And it IS the greatest book ever written or that will ever be
written.
So ... what’s holding you back? Don't you want to be able to say you've read the Bible in its entirety? And if you already have, when was the last time you read it asking God
to reveal what He would have you know instead of understanding it based on what
you’ve been taught?
Please, don’t let one more day pass you by before you begin
The Ultimate Reading Challenge. I promise, this
challenge won’t disappoint. Your life will be ultimately and forever changed
for the better because of it!
Blessed Reading,
Shauna
Williams
