Our dog, Dixie, digs into our couch almost every day. She roots around pushing her nose into the crevices as far as she possibly can, persistently sniffing and scratching at the material. Dixie is positive there is a hidden treasure beneath the cushions. I assure her often nothing is in there, but she doesn’t believe me. She is determined to find the treasure.

This will probably sound extra cheesy, but that’s how I want you to be this year about God’s Word. I pray you will dig into it relentlessly- searching for treasure. Just like my Dixie.

“Why?” you may wonder. Because it’s good for you. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the word of God is alive and active. That means it is at work and applicable no matter who you are, where you are, your age, or walk of life.

Years ago, I didn’t truly appreciate God’s Word for what it was. Like the big white coffee table Bible with the picture of Jesus on the front. No one opened it to read it, only placing birth announcements of obituaries inside. It seemed like an old book about old people in old days. I. Was. So. Wrong. My current love of Scripture began when I got an easier to understand version in 1993. Changed my life FOREVER.

The Bible is interesting, exciting, convicting, encouraging, and so many other things!

I’m reading through the Chronological Bible. Though it has taken over a year, I’m not in a race. Just this week, talk about action! It’s a roller coaster of drama. Jehosheba – the priest’s wife -hid her young nephew, Joash, from being murdered by his granny (2 Chronicles 22).

Not long after, some Israelites were burying a man when they saw a band of Moabite raiders. They threw the dead man’s body in the prophet Elisha’s tomb to run for cover. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, he came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 13). Picture him climbing out of that grave.

I hadn’t remembered that Amos was a shepherd turned prophet who had much to say (Amos 1). God is famous for changing His children’s vocations.

After Uzziah, the king, became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He marched himself into the temple to burn incense – a role for priests only. Azariah, the priest, with 80 other courageous priests of the LORD challenged him. I can picture it in my head.

Uzziah raged at the priests and became leprous right in front of everyone (2 Chronicles 26).

In the middle of all that, there was Jonah – an exciting tale with a craft for kids, but a gut-wrenching true story that hits differently when you’re an adult. A good man who had served God chose to run away from His will. God shows His unconditional love by giving Jonah a second chance and saving the Ninevites. When we read Jonah’s words while in the fish, “In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me…” who can’t relate?

This week, I can learn from all those real people. Their courage, their willingness to be used, but also their mistakes.

You don’t have to read 42 chapters a day and you don’t even have to start at the beginning. There are countless devotionals and a load of apps available to help. Find a good true translation you can understand. But do it. God will speak to your heart, your mind, your life. And hang on! It will be an adventure.

I love reading fiction. (Christian suspense is my favorite.) But I also need to regularly dig into the truth in God’s Word. Like Dixie digs into our couch – searching for treasure.