Feeling in the middle of nowhere, numb, and lonely I remember reading Hosea 2v14 — “Therefore, behold, I will allure her — will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.” I sensed a flicker. Something shifted in my soul. Was God speaking to me? I read it again. 

A quiet question rose in hushed prayer — “God, did you lead me here? To this dark, lonely wilderness?” I would love to say everything changed that day. I would love to say the Lord answered, but He didn’t. Silence remained. Darkness lingered. However, my heart said to my head, “If God brought me here then there must be purpose.” Therefore, I continued reading. I kept checking a box. I stuck to the plan. 

I read through the Bible every year through that 7-year dark season. When I sensed the Lord moving me out of the wilderness I realized He had been sustaining me in the desert. His Word had been my manna and water nourishing me for the narrow road that lay ahead. 

What had been a discipline had become a delight. As I reopened the Bible day after day, I was beginning to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” My senses were coming alive as God strengthened my spirit.

I have now read the Bible in its entirety 25 times since 2010. I can truthfully testify that by abiding in and embedding God’s words in my mind and heart, my life has been transformed. 

There have been challenges since walking out of that prolonged wilderness. Our family has experienced cancer, divorce, and another dark night of the soul along with the normal ebb and flow of joy and sadness. No matter, I must consume the Word. Every day. My soul will have hunger pains and growl loudly if I do not feed my faith.

I believe YOU (and every follower of Jesus) can reach the place of delighting in the Word of God. It requires planning and purpose. It demands sacrifice and discipline. But it’s something we crave, and with work it can be created.

My hope? A place to find stories, suggestions, and resources that encourage others to develop the practice of delighting in the voice of God. Join me at the table on my podcast — allured — by God. for good. as we learn, linger, and love the Word of God. My heart was to construct a plan that was challenging but practical. So on the horizon is From Discipline to Delight — a 119-day approach to reading the entire Bible based on Psalm 119.