In the preface to Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, John Piper explains why it is important that we take time every day to read our Bibles and remember Jesus Christ:

“When we see Jesus for who he really is, we savor him. That is, we delight in him as true and beautiful and satisfying. That is my goal, because two things flow from such an experience of Jesus Christ: He is honored, and we are freed by joy to walk the narrow way of love… As the apostle Paul said, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this ccome from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, RSV). Beholding is becoming. Seeing Christ saves and sanctifies.” (Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, 16)

Here’s what happens to me: on lazy summer days when I don’t have anything to do (and sometimes on weekends, for that matter), I find it more difficult to have a quiet time than when my day is just packed. I’ve found that it really serves me to have a regular routine.

A couple ideas about how to do this:

• Plan to get up about the same time every day. (This might mean planning to go to bed about the same time every day.)
• Each night as you fall asleep, resolve to wake up and meet with God the next morning. Ask God to help you.
• Make your Bible reading one of the first things you do in the morning: before the sports section, the morning news, or a favorite magazine. (Brushing your teeth first is ok.)
• Read with a plan. If you are already on a yearly schedule, stick with it. If not, decide now what books of the Bible you’re going to read this summer. Write out your plan. If you fall behind, don’t worry too much about it. Just pick up where you left off. Track what you’ve read - it will be encouraging to you to mark those chapters off your list.
• Keep a journal. More on this later.

Ask your parents how you can plan your summer schedule to make sure that you find time to meet with God in His Word every day.

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