How Understanding Scripture Made Me Fall in Love with Jesus
by Caroline B. Morse of Walk in Providence
I was raised in the ministry as a pastor’s kid and always knew Jesus loved me. I have always believed in God and heard the stories from the Bible. From Noah, to Jonah, to the manger, and the cross, the “highlights” of the Bible were imbedded deep into me from a young age. For years I would participate in small groups, read devotional books, and at tend corporate worship, but I didn’t have a passion for God’s Word. I would even say I didn’t have a true understanding of His Word. Just fragmented bits and pieces that had been spooned into me my entire life.
I was desperate and my life was unmanageable.
It wasn’t until I was a new mom with a colicky baby, working full-time, and in a dysfunctional marriage that I found myself in a place I had never been before. I was desperate and my life was unmanageable. For the first time, I couldn’t take care of it all and hold myself together. I would rock our son, exhausted at the end of each day, and read to him just to stay awake. A friend had given me the “Jesus Storybook Bible” as a baby gift and each night as I read it out loud, God captured my weary heart in a fresh new way. He slowly began to reveal His Word to me in a way I had never understood before. The stories were familiar but understanding how Jesus was a part of each one and understanding that His Word was written especially for me captivated my heart.
The fire had been ignited and His Word came alive like it tells us in Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
I began to take my devotional time more seriously by prioritizing my time alone with God and getting deeper in His Word. I found an online Bible study that encouraged women to study entire books of the Bible at a time. A couple of years later I did the Bible study “Seamless” by Angie Smith and it put together all those fragmented stories I grew up knowing into one interwoven story. That following January in 2021, I made it a goal to read the entire Bible that year.
Each day, God reveals so much about His heart and character through Scripture. It may be a story or a verse I have known since childhood, but He breathes fresh new life through the words and speaks to my heart. He is a personal God who knows just how to communicate with me and give me exactly what I need for that day. Some days it may be encouragement, some days the reminder of His promises, and other days it may be the fighting words I need to stand firm against the enemy.
Reading God’s Word daily draws me into a closer relationship with Him. I get to know His character, His heart, and His love for me. The Bible is full of wisdom, guidance, and direction to help navigate through the chaos of this world with confidence. James 1:5 tells us,
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
We can boldly go to God about whatever we need and seek His infinite wisdom each day. He longs to meet with us and speak to us through His Word.
About Caroline
Caroline a married boy mom that seeks Jesus every day. During a difficult season, she began journaling and taking notes during her quiet time. Then one day, God asked her to share those journal notes as devotionals with others. She began Providence Ministries and the Walk in Providence blog last summer. Providence Ministries is a place to help the weary woman experience the protective care of God during hard seasons through devotionals, Scripture, prayer, encouragement, and community.
Connect with Caroline:
Website: https://walkinprovidence.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkinprovidence/