I’m 47 years old, and until this year I had never read the Bible cover to cover.

That’s hard to admit. But it’s the truth.

At the beginning of the year, I committed to a 52-week Bible plan. I’m now more than halfway through. And here’s what I’ve discovered:

• Some passages speak directly into my life — they’re rich, beautiful, and alive.

• Other passages are hard to follow — my mind drifts and I struggle to understand.

• And some are just plain difficult — confusing, violent, even horrible to read.

But here’s the kicker: you can actually read the entire Bible in a year in as little as 15–20 minutes a day. That’s it. Fifteen minutes. So why did it take me 47 years to get started?

The truth is, I’ve filled my mind with all kinds of other things instead. Hours of TV. Social media scrolling. Podcasts. News. Opinions. And yet the living Word of God — the words of my Creator and Savior — sat unopened on the shelf.

I’m ashamed of that. Which is why I’ve made a new commitment: not just to finish this year’s plan, but to keep reading, year after year, letting God’s Word shape me more deeply each time. Because as Christians, it’s the least we can do.

Where Are You Putting Your Faith?

If you’ve already read the Bible cover to cover — praise God. I tip my hat to you!

But if you haven’t, here’s my challenge: what’s stopping you?

And maybe more importantly: where are you turning for guidance instead?

For some, it’s tarot cards or horoscopes. You’re putting your time and energy into flipping cards or following signs. But can those cards actually save you? Can they forgive you, heal your heart, or give you eternal life?

Others turn to self-help gurus, endless podcasts, or the latest life-hack book. Those might inspire you for a moment, but they can’t anchor your soul.

And no offense — even tools like ChatGPT can be misused as a replacement for actually praying to God and listening for His voice. AI can give you information, but it can’t give you salvation.

I’m not saying this to shame you. I’ve done it too. I’ve trusted in everything but God. But here’s what I’ve learned: only the Word of God has the power to transform, to convict, to comfort, and to lead us into truth.

No More Excuses

Reading the Bible doesn’t have to be complicated:

• Set aside a time each day.

• Build in a “catch-up” moment each week.

• Read with others — join a group like The Well’s Bible Book Club every other week for encouragement and accountability.

• And if reading feels overwhelming, let your phone read it aloud to you.

The Bible is more accessible than ever before. It’s free. It’s digital. It’s everywhere. The only thing stopping us is ourselves.

So start today. Set a timer. Open the Word.

Because the truth is, we don’t need more cards, crystals, gurus, or apps. We need more of God.