When I was a kid, I thought writing came easy to me.  And in a way, it did.  My teachers in elementary school were always raving about my stories, I won a writing award sponsored by a local newspaper, and I loved writing.  I learned some of the grammar basics, learned how to use spell check, and wanted to be an author.

An adult close to me said I’d never make it as an author.  That hurt.

Then came my first job – a free-lance sports reporter for a start-up newspaper in my hometown.  I could not figure out how to write in AP style.  I think I made $50 in the two months I worked for them.  But I knew it would be best for both of us if I quit pretending to be a sports writer and graciously bowed out.

Then came college.  I got my first D on a paper.

I. Was. Devastated. 

Granted, it was a scientific paper, and I had never seen such a beast before, but it still hurt.  I was told my writing was ‘too flowery’ and I gave ‘too many details.’  

For my next report, I turned in a draft to my professor nine times before submitting the final copy.  I got a B.  B for Brutal.  

Along the way, I almost gave up on writing, but I slowly began to learn that I couldn’t live on what I knew.  I had to learn. 

And more importantly, I had to learn what I needed to learn.

I published my first book in the spring of 2021.  I learned so many things publishing Creative in COVID that I wish I had known before, but I didn’t know what questions to ask.

With each book, I learn a little more.  And I learn what questions to ask.

Life is like that, isn’t it?  Especially as many kids prepare to go back to school.

So is learning about God.

I used to think that just going to church was enough.  Then I learned I had to read my Bible on my own.  Then I learned about Bible studies (both the groups and individual workbooks).  Then I learned how to study my Bible (not just read it).

One of the most powerful lessons for me was the day I read Hebrews 4:12.  The first part of the verse (in the ESV translation) says, “For the word of God is living and active…”

I read that verse and thought, “What would happen if I prayed that verse before I read my Bible each day?”

So I did an experiment.  Before I read my Bible each day, I prayed, “God, please help Your Word become living and active to me today.”

Wow.  God really opened up Scriptures to me!  Not in a voodoo, weirdo sort of way, but I got to see deeper meanings in the passages I read.

I began to see the bigger picture of God woven throughout the entire Bible (I have only recently learned this is the metanarrative of Scripture).  

I began to see how these verses applied to me.

It was great.  God is great!

So today, I want to encourage you to dig a little deeper in God’s Word today.  Whatever step you’re at, go one step deeper.  He will reveal Himself to you in new ways.  It will be beautiful.

And don’t worry if you don’t know what questions to ask.  If you are searching, God will give you the answers anyway.  (Though if He’s putting a question on your heart, it’s a good idea to investigate it.)

I’d love to hear what you learn!  Because we’re all learning as we go through this thing called life.