9. The Bible, when read reflectively, can help me come to know myself better.
(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.)
Have you experienced times when the Bible seems to speak to a particular issue that you are dealing with, perhaps even convicting you of an area of your life that needs addressing?
How would you evaluate your ability to notice your inner self, to think about your feelings, your values, your character qualities or defects?
Do you enjoy seeing the “deeper” things or messages in what you read, hear, or see?
Do you desire to more clearly see the deeper meanings of the experiences of your life?
There may be times when we feel like the Bible is “reading” us more than we are reading it. It seems to know us and it shows us things about ourselves that we may just be becoming aware of. We can encourage this fruitful process by reading the Bible with a reflective posture.
Reflective reading is when we open our interior life, our thoughts, desires, attitudes, values, and personalities to examination through what we are reading. We might ask ourselves questions like, “What is this telling me about me?” “What is this inviting me to consider?” “What might I learn about myself from this?” “How am I like this?”” Or “What might I be avoiding?” When we read the Bible with questions like these in mind and are willing to pause and reflect when we sense a message, we can learn much about ourselves.
When read reflectively, the Bible can be effective in helping us to see or notice things about ourselves that we might not be aware of not only weaknesses but also our gifts and strengths. For example, Jesus makes several commands like “Don’t worry,” “Don’t judge,” “Love those who are hard to love,” and “Be quick to forgive.” As we look at these statements, we can reflect on them with the questions above and evaluate if how they relate to ourselves.
Reading the Bible reflectively can also help us know what we really desire in life. Psalm 42 says, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (1-2, NIV). Reading this might give words to a longing that we hold in our life. Another example might be Psalm 92:12-14 which reads, The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
As one who is in his “older years,” these verses capture my own desire--I long to be fruitful in this season. The stories of the Bible can also teach us about our responses and interactions with God. After Peter had denied Jesus, the resurrected Jesus meets Peter in Galilee and asks him, “Do you love me?” Peter affirms his love for Christ who then replies, “Feed my sheep.” How often might we feel like we have failed Jesus and are unworthy, like Peter, to be of any use to God? As we identify with Peter, we can also hear Jesus’ affirmation that we are forgiven and are still valuable to him.
These are just a few examples of how the Bible can be a mirror that we look in and see our weakness, our longings, and our unique gifts. In this process, we can come to know ourselves better, and to also come to know God better.