Like my experience with the bike before the ride, reading the Bible can be messy. We get stuck, lose our place, but also find our way, all while moving closer to Jesus. How to navigate the entry point.
Entry point
We drove to the trailhead, grabbed our gear, in my case, all the snacks I could carry in my pockets, and hiked up to the entry point.
A map
At the info table I requested a map. The gal handed me one and said I’d never use it. She may have been right, but I’ve looked at it countless times since then. A reminder of the path I endured, survived, lived to tell about.
A bookmark
When I started to read the Bible I could never find the table of contents. It must be at least 30 pages in. A bookmark with all of the books of the Bible on it became a handy reference for me, especially the kind that lists the books of the Bible in groupings. Not sure what I mean by groupings? I’ll explain along the ride. In the meantime you can either bookmark the table of contents or follow my example and stumble onto each book of the Bible.
Here’s one way I have a general sense of where I am in the Bible:
Before the ride
My husband took my picture with the bike before the ride started. Before the chaos. Before the first blog post.
Potential hazard
I sat astride my bike. No, actually I didn’t. I stood next to it to have my picture taken. I was well-outfitted. Favorite lightweight teal windbreaker, purple bike helmet, right pant leg in sock. I had ridden bikes enough to know that if you don’t keep your pant leg neatly tucked away from the bike chain, it will find the bike chain. One more potential hazard on this path of peril.
Reading the Bible
Reading the Bible can be messy. We get stuck, lose our place, but also find our way, all while moving closer to Jesus. What do I mean by that? The Bible is God’s Word. When we open our Bible we position ourselves to be aware of God in our own life. That’s the beauty in the mess.
Notice
Now when I look at the photo of the bike I notice the tires covered in dried on mud. And the seat. The back of the seat is streaked with dried on dirt. Did I not notice it before? I don’t think I noticed anything before.
Uncomfortable
My husband sat on his bike. Of course his feet touched the ground. Mine didn’t. And that’s another thing. My bike seat was too far off the ground. I couldn’t touch my feet easily on the ground. But the seat was short in the frame. My legs were perpetually bent, just enough to be a bit uncomfortable after a while.
Sound idea
He stood confidently astride his bike, wearing the backpack full of juice and lunch for the both of us. We may have actually eaten our lunch before we arrived at the trailhead. That was probably the most sound idea of the day.
Company
Although I did not have his confidence, I was grateful for his company. I’m happy to accompany you on this journey into the Bible.
Messy
When I look at the picture now I see all the mud caked on the tires. This ride was going to be messy and I didn’t even have a clue.
Want to see what I’m talking about? A few pictures before the ride:
Question
What were some of your early experiences with reading the Bible?
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Catching up?
A bike and the Bible – an adventure – intro – part 1
A bike and the Bible – reservations – part 2
A bike and the Bible – what I thought – part 3