Busting Out of the Familiar

READ: JOHN 14:26; 20:31; 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12 How well do you know the streets around your home? As you drive by, you probably know by heart that there’s a gas station on the right and, up ahead, there’s an old blue van that’s been parked in the same spot since the beginning of time. But have you ever noticed something new on that familiar route? Maybe a neighbor painted their shutters a wild shade of avocado green, a coffee shop just took over that abandoned building, or—Wait! Did I just see a giant flamingo statue in that backyard? If we grew up in church, learning Bible stories and verses week after week, it can be hard to find the motivation to read God’s Word. When we open to a familiar passage, we may think, I already know this story. Why should I read it again? This may be true about other books, but the Bible is different. God’s words are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). If you’re in Christ, you’re in a living and active relationship with the God who ...