Whenever I realize I’m frustrated, stressed, or upset, I typically find myself with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations in my hands. Usually, I’m able to flip around and nine times out of ten, find something that applies to exactly what I’m going through.

And the reason why I always reach for Meditations is that The Bible never really seems to fulfill that same capability.

Call me unlucky, but I’m just not one of those people who can flip through a Bible and suddenly land on something that I need in that moment.

As ashamed as I am to admit it, I’ve left reading the Bible up to chance for a lot of my life. Living with the idea that the Bible is there to seek you, when in all actually, you must be present to seek it.

Let me give you a better idea of what I mean.

In the historic artwork called The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo illustrates the Biblical creation from the Book of Genesis in which God gives life to Adam, the first man.

In it, you can see God and Adam extending their arms towards each other, with their fingers almost touching. But if you look closely, the picture suddenly gets a little clearer.

God (on the right), has his index finger fully extended, trying to touch Adam. But Adam (pictured on the left), has his index finger relaxed. Kind of droopy in a way. Truly, if he extended his finger all the way, he could easily touch God.

What Michelangelo is depicting is that God is always there for us, ready to welcome you into His life. While it’s up to us (Adam resembles all humans in this instance), to reach out to Him.

I think the same goes with The Bible. We (and when I say “we”, I also mean “I”), need to not assume The Bible is there to seek us whenever we’re in need, but just like Adam and God, The Bible is already there, it’s up to us to extend our arms and reach out to it. Ready and able to read the words, not through luck, but through faith.

Whether it’s The Bible, Meditations, or your favorite novel, being a reader isn’t about leaving it up to chance, it’s about taking the time to read through it. To take the time and search for the words that has helped people before you.

So don’t be like me and leave faith or help up to chance. Be patient. Take a moment to sit down, open the book, and read it for what it’s worth.

Until next time,
Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I’m Currently Reading - I’m still in the middle of reading The Art Of Living by Edward Sri. A book that discovers the virtues needed to give the best of yourself to God and the people in our lives.

Quote Of The Week - “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” — Dipen Parmar