Week 2: Esther, Ezra, Isaiah

I think bible reading is one of those things that seems much harder than it is. Correction. I think I make it harder than it is...

I've read the bible every day but Saturday (those weekends, man...) But when I think back on it, part of me feels disappointed. Like I didn't meet my goal or something. I think some part of my brain tells me I have to come away from reading the bible with a kind of small scale epiphany every time.

But looking back at this week honestly, I know I did what I set out to do. Maybe I didn't get a life changing revelation each day. But I learned that the book of Esther never mentions God. I learned that Cyrus, the king of Persia, released the remnant of Israel to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. And that Isaiah tells of God's hand in using a Gentile king to accomplish his plans. I figured that if God could use someone who didn't even believe in him, then he surely can use me.

I learned that bible study is really good. Like really good. There's something about reading the same stuff with a group of people that helps you get the words in ways you never would have on your own. It also helps you get out of your own head a little bit. And we all need to get out of our own heads every once in a while.