Finding Guidance in God’s Repetition
Today marks a new day for me. I’m trying very hard to make some changes to my life in the morning when I wake up. Before telling you what those are, I want to explain how I got here. Around 2016, I became friends with a woman in a small group who encouraged me and still encourages me to get into my Bible more intimately. We read the Bible in chronological order together. We laughed and pondered and discussed every story in the Bible. It was during this time that I began learning how to pray without ceasing. My faith during this time grew more robust. I continued to have a morning practice where I read my Bible, talked to God, and prayed intimate and in-depth prayers. Then my life changed; the morning schedule I kept for several years changed drastically, and because I needed at least seven hours of sleep(this is a story for another day), I stopped my in-depth morning Bible study completely. Years have passed, and I’ve tried other methods that didn’t quite stick the way those first thing-in-the-morning prayers stuck. I even wrote a book about how I began praying because how other people showed me how to pray wouldn’t resonate with me. So today, I’m starting the first 15.
What is that?
For the first 15 minutes of my day, I’ll read my Bible study passage for the day and pray. That’s it. The most important part of the first 15 is that I am not allowing myself to look at anything else on my phone or do anything else until I read my Bible and pray. Reading the Bible and studying it takes a lot of discipline, which I used to have but lacked in the morning. This morning, I noted the chapter I read because God said the same thing several times in different verses. I’ve mentioned them below:
I wondered why so many times. Why did God have to say the same thing several times?
In reflecting on why God repeats Himself in Scripture, I’ve realized that it mirrors our human nature. We often struggle with disbelief, imposter syndrome, and forgetfulness. Just as we need reminders and reassurances in our journey through life, God provides repeated guidance and encouragement in His word. Whether to remind us of His presence, promises, or unwavering support, His repetition is a beacon of hope in our journey. So, as I continue my study of the Bible and navigate the challenges of this world, I take comfort in knowing that God’s guidance will always be there, guiding me with steadfastness and discipline, even when the path seems unforgiving and battle-filled. With God by my side, I am reminded that I am never alone in this journey.
