Focus & Consistency – 2019 Wrap-up
2019 has been an interesting year. In 2018, I read the Bible from start to finish for the first time and it was an epic journey! In 2019, I had plans to do the same thing again but instead fell off in March. Since then, it has been a struggle for me to get through the entire Bible. I tried different methods, but the struggle continued. It could have been an attack on my focus, which has also been under attack in other areas of my life. Ultimately, I did not accomplish what I set out to do in 2019 when it came to my Bible reading. But 2020 is a new beginning, so we can try again!
On January 1, 2020, I plan to restart the Bible Recap Podcast Bible reading plan. Last year I wrote about this podcast on my blog and I did enjoy it; unfortunately, I ended up losing focus and falling to distraction. I want things to be different in 2020 so I’ve come up with a plan for success:
- I purchased the corresponding Bible Recap digital journal and will be using it for each day of the reading plan. The journal has space for insights into that day’s reading (things I loved/learned/noticed, questions I had, etc.) and will be a great way to review what I read.
- I will be using my CSB Study Bible as my primary Bible during this one-year plan.
- I know that I will have questions and want to research deeper sometimes, so there will be one day each week that I will assign for research. I will call it my “Research Day.” More than likely, this day will be on Saturdays. Research Day will include diving into a Bible dictionary, Bible concordance, commentaries and study Bible notes to answer any questions I may have. I don’t expect to always have a Research Day each week, but I will block out time on my calendar for it. If I have anything I’d like to research from that week’s readings, I’ll have time to do so.
It is so intriguing to dig into the Bible, into the issues of those times, and into understanding culturally what was happening and what God was trying to do. God is transcendent; he transcends time and space and meets us no matter where we are and no matter who we are! So in 2020, I will zero-in on my focus and consistency. I want to learn more about my Creator and the Bible is the best place to learn!
I have other goals in the areas of health and career, so I have much to focus on. Also, with that in mind, I will be posting twice a month on this blog and once a month on my YouTube channel. I feel the need to post more consistently on these platforms, so that is also in my plans this new year.
I cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store. I hope that you have a prosperous 2020 as well!