How my Bible Turned Into my Dearest Treasure
I’ve always been a reader. When I was younger, I read through all of the Baby-Sitters Club books, the American Girl books, Amelia Bedelia, Ramona Quimby and so many more. Now, I love reading mostly non-fiction. I enjoy biographies, history, behind-the-scenes of politics, social sciences, education, travel and Christian books. Don’t worry, though, I do indulge in the occasional fiction book every so often, too. There’s nothing like getting wrapped up in a story, whether it’s a fictional romance or the story of how an event in history unfolded. Being able to mentally travel into another world is an amazing experience and gift.
Not long ago, I finished Katharine Graham’s biography, “Personal History,” which was a whopping 625 pages. One of my longest! As someone with a journalism degree, I absolutely loved immersing myself in her world as publisher of The Washington Post. After rising to publisher after the unexpected and tragic death of her husband, Graham stepped into her new role admittedly ignorant, but she jumped in, asked constant questions and slowly but surely learned how to lead the Post. She was constantly brushing shoulders with elite politicians and businesspeople, hosting and attending social events of all kinds that were packed with interesting and memorable conversations. She traveled all over the world, interviewing people and writing about what she saw and learned. In the midst of raising four children, Graham enjoyed close, meaningful friendships with people of all ranks and ages, including several presidents and Warren Buffett amongst countless others.
Most memorably, Graham walked through the Pentagon Papers and Watergate crises with her staff members at the Post, discovering and publishing facts that were controversial to say the least. After emerging from both of those national incidents on what most would argue to be the right side, her life did anything but plateau. A pressmen’s strike that lasted five months was incredibly stressful for Graham and the remaining members of the Post who were left to fend for themselves to get the paper out each day.
By the time I finished the final page of this most intriguing woman’s life story, I felt a little bit sad to close the cover and set the book aside. For several weeks, as I read, I’d been wrapped up in Katharine Graham’s world! I was a fly on the wall in her intimate and exciting conversations with powerful people, and I sat on the seat next to her as she sneakily drove around the streets of Washington D.C. eyeing the picket line of the pressman’s strike. I mourned with her when she lost her husband, and I smiled proudly when she accepted awards for the Post’s coverage of the Watergate scandal.
It’s sad to arrive at the conclusion of a good book, but it’s also satisfying. Usually you’ve gained some type of knowledge, experienced the emotions of people/characters, and you feel like you’ve been on a journey with the author. It’s a great feeling to make it to the end of that journey! The closure brings a sense of fulfillment and contentment.
Guess what book I’ve never really felt a sense of closure from? The Bible. Over the past year, I’ve realized more than ever before that the more I read the Bible, the more treasures I uncover. And the more treasures I uncover, the more I realize that there are even more treasures to uncover. Instead of experiencing a satisfying feeling of finality after spending an hour studying and meditating on God’s Word, I’m just hungry for more of it. Can you relate?
To be honest, I haven’t always felt this way about the Bible, but God has done a work in my heart and given me such an incredible love and thirst for Scripture. I attribute this to two main things…. One, I started planning time each week to read the Word without any extra aids. (Read my post about that!) Two, I started being more intentional about inviting the Holy Spirit into my time in the Bible. When I’m opening up the pages, I say, “Holy Spirit, show me what I’m missing. Teach me what I don’t know! Open my eyes to what I can’t see.” God stands at the ready to answer a prayer like that one. He has so many secrets and treasure to reveal to us through His Word! If we are hungry and looking for them, He is anxious to release them to us.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3
Obviously when I sit down to read any book other than the Bible, my routine looks different. For example, there was no need for me to say a prayer each time I opened up Katharine Graham’s biography to dive into the next chapter. But I’ve learned that my heart posture, attitude and mindset should be different when I open up the Bible. Especially if I desire to be open to receive Scripture’s hidden treasures, then I need to be in the right position to receive them. My own personal atmosphere needs to be different than it is when I’m doing any other casual thing! Of course, the Holy Spirit can unleash the power of Scripture in anybody’s heart in any environment. But imagine how much more He can do if He’s invited in with great anticipation and reverence.
I don’t know about you, but I never want to close my Bible and feel like I’m satisfied and content. I want to read it, study it, and mostly be left with the realization that I’m still (always!) just scratching the surface. Because ya know what? No matter if it’s your first time opening up the Word or your 10,000th, I get the feeling we’re all in the exact same amazing position—just scratching the surface. Every single time.
I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. -Isaiah 45:3