Episode #266 Not Just Informed But Transformed by the Bible – Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Hey friend, it's Jen. Have you ever had the experience of reading a familiar Bible verse, a Bible verse you've read dozens of times before, but for some reason on that particular day, in that certain moment, the Bible verse just resonates differently?

Well, if so, that's what we're talking about today and the difference between reading words and receiving them. We're continuing in our exploration of spiritual disciplines, and today I want to talk about a powerful shift that can happen in our Bible reading: moving from just reading, or even just Bible study, to meditation. Moving from information to transformation, and it's important to talk about it here at the onset that transformation is God's part. I talk about this in my captivated playbook. For a lot of years. I thought transformation from the Bible was somehow still my part, that I needed to read truth in the Bible and apply it enough to my life in some way that I would then be transformed by it.

But that's not actually how it works. When we read or study the Bible, God brings revelation. So we reflect on things and God brings revelation and we take action on what we understand and what God reveals. Then he carries out the transforming work in our lives. So if that sounds new to you or you want help experiencing that and experiencing God and the Bible in that way, check out my captivated playbook. I'll have a link here for that in the shownotes.

But I wanna talk about that here in this context of Bible reading and Bible study, because I don't wanna diminish those things either. Study is important. I'm about to read a quote for you from Celebration of Disciplines, and Richard Foster uses the word exegesis, which is a good practice. And exegesis is the critical explanation and interpretation of a text. It's going back to the original meeting, to the original audience from the original author, and usually is looking at grammar and history and contextual analysis, aiming to understand the point that the author was looking to convey.

But what we're talking about here is meditation and receiving God's word after sitting with it for a while and reflecting on it. And so this is something that Richard Foster talks about as an important distinction, he says, “whereas the study of scripture centers on exegesis, the meditation of scripture centers on internalizing and personalizing the passage. The written word becomes a living word addressed to you.”

So this especially has hit home for me in seasons of grief. Some of you may know from here on the podcast or from real life conversations that my mom passed away from cancer in January of 2023. And so I am familiar with grief from a variety of circumstances, but especially including the loss of my mom.

And I'd read passages like Psalm 34:18, a bunch of times before “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) But in these seasons of grief, there are times when these words hit different. They feel like they were especially intended for me in that moment. A living word that God is using to minister to me in that exact second and that exact circumstance that I'm walking through. Foster explains that meditation isn't about analysis. It's not about gathering material to share with others. It's about receiving God's word personally and letting it take root in our hearts.

This reminds me of James 1:21-22, which says “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

And I love this visual of God's word being planted in us. Seeds that take time and nourishment and will grow. God's word needs to be received by me, by us, with humility. And it's given space to develop within us because we're not just receiving information, we're receiving a living seed that can grow and bring transformation in our lives.

And then we see this idea again in 1 Corinthians 3:6 where Paul is talking about planting, and he says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

I'd encourage you to look for ways you can slow down. Try sitting with even a couple verses for a longer period of time and give 'em your full attention.

Personalize the message. If God is speaking this directly to you today from the Bible, what is he saying? What is he showing you about the circumstances that you're walking through? Don't just analyze the text, talk with God about it.

What feelings or insights or questions does that stir in you?

And then finally, carry the word with you. Return to it, meditate on it. Allow God to continue working in your heart through it. Our goal is not to master the text, but for the text, for the Bible, to master us and for us to be changed by it, not just informed by it.

And so here's a question that you can take to God:

God, how can I receive your word with a humble heart today?

Have a good talk.

And if you've been encouraged by this content, please share it with a friend and help them grow in their conversational relationship with God too!

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