I love this comparison written by Pastor Clark Schultz from Time of Grace Ministry:
Here is what I learned about the Bible from a tube of toothpaste. My wife and I have conflicting views of how to squeeze the tube.
She grabs the tube at the end and slowly works her way through the tube. My boys and I grab the middle and squeeze away. She and the boys will take the toothpaste when nearing the end and chuck it into the garbage, whereas I will take it, squeeze it, and twist it into an origami shape to get the last bit of cavity-fighting goodness out of it.
Do you and I do the same with our time in God’s Word? Do we take shortcuts? Do we chuck it to the side when we have more important daily tasks to get to? Or do we read it, soak it in, and squeeze every last bit out of those pages of life?
If you haven’t read the Bible in some time, take heart! There’s no wrong way to read it. It’s not too late to give it a go.
You can start in the middle, perhaps in the psalms. Psalm 139 reminds us God doesn’t make junk. Or you can start at the beginning and slowly work your way through.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. What would happen if we matched that brushing time, brushing up on God’s amazing grace in the Scriptures? “Now the Berean Jews … received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day” (Acts 17:11).
PRAYER: God, I’ve been taught to brush my teeth in healthy ways. Remind me when I grab my toothpaste to handle my Bible in the same way for spiritual health. Amen.
GROW IN YOUR FAITH: Check out more Bible study resources at Time of Grace Ministry including videos, podcasts and booklets.