I Just Read the Whole Bible. Now What?

Almost 10 days ago, when I posted on social that I’d finished reading the whole Bible for the first time ever – which FYI had NEVER been on my pre-Jesus bucket list – I actually didn’t even ask myself the question, “Now what?” I didn’t have to. I already had my answer queued up. In my Bible app. (no affiliate link there or anything; it’s simply the app that I love to use for reading)

But let’s back up first. What’s it like to read the whole Bible?

In a word: Epic.

Why “epic”? Because it’s a sweeping history – which is why I read it using a “chronological” reading plan.

Why “epic”? Because it’s a mind-boggling story of an omniscient, omnipotent God who wanted to share everything with us, but we were goaded into snatching for ourselves. Which wrecked everything, and so God had to come down, make things right, and set the rebuild into motion.

Why “epic”? Because as grand as this book is, it’s also, paradoxically, about me.

How is the whole Bible about me? Or you? Or any one of us?

I started reading the whole Bible on January 9, 2023, exactly one week before I was transformed very unexpectedly during a dreaded Zoom networking event. (Click this link to read the story of how the Holy Spirit put on my full armor of God just in time for my baptism in April, 2023.)

Once I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I felt like I had a ton of catching up to do. I was 57 years old, and I’d been turned away from God – I was a real hater BTW – for a good 24, 25 years.

It’s what I imagine it might be like for long-lost twins separated at birth and reunited as middle-aged adults. In my mind, the only thing those twins would want to do is keep getting together as often as they could, to catch up on everything each of them missed.

Of course, God hadn’t missed a beat (see “omniscient” above). But I had missed so terribly much. I had missed out on so terribly much.

The Bible caught me up by telling me real-life, relatable stories that sounded just like things I had done, disastrous mistakes I had made, and the ways God stepped in without my even acknowledging His divine help.

And now what?

And now that I had spent the year voraciously catching up on lost love, peace beyond my small and human understanding, and divine guidance, I realized this was truly the beginning of the journey.

Now I was ready for wisdom. And apparently, fear of God:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

God had already planted in my heart and mind the fact that my next step would be to read the whole Bible again – but this time not “chronologically,” which gives historical context and which I had needed to know the first time through. This time, I would be reading the Bible basically “front-to-back,” in the sequence the 66 books are laid out.

As of this writing, I’m on Day 9 of a wonderful one-year Bible-reading plan by The BibleProject (again, no affiliate stuff, I simply love and respect their solid work). I have to say:

Somehow, I missed sooo much the first time through. Stay tuned…

Reflective Response: “I’ve always wanted to do that, but…”

So, almost 10 days ago when I posted my “accomplishment” on social, several friends commented that “that’s something I’ve always wanted to do…”

BUT.

But I never got around to it. But I had no idea how to start. But I’ve been wondering if I should go chronological, like you did, or straight through, what do you think, Coco?

And my answer to any and all “buts” is this:

• But God. If you’ve always felt you didn’t have time, pray for God to show you a 20-minute time slot. For me, that was while getting ready for bed. Yes, I read a lot while brushing teeth.
• But God. If you’ve always felt intimidated, well, yeah, it’s a big book! Pray for God to show you a structured reading plan that makes sense for the way you like to learn things. I like to know backstory and context, so a chronological reading plan gave me a sensible starting point.
• Speaking of which, here’s a closing “But God.” Pray for God to help you to end your wondering, and to start your “beginning of knowledge.”

PS I’d genuinely love to hear about your journey to read the whole Bible. Tell me all about it in the comments, or follow me on social and let me know!