365 Days, 1 at a Time

365 days not only comprise this calendar year, but also signify a goal I made and achieved.

I have some wonderful physical Bibles that I cherish, but I find the YouVersion Bible app so convenient, and the ability to search the entire text, read devotionals, created highlighted verses, and more makes it so useful at home or while on the go.

There was just one problem. The greeting at the top of the app always shows how many days in a row I have opened the app. I am certain this is meant to be encouraging and to keep the user coming back for more. Great! I love a challenge, and there isn’t one more important than being in the Word, but every few months I would get busy and not open the app, causing my counter to reset to 1. For a Bible tool that is meant to be uplifting, it became frustrating because I felt a little defeated each time I lost my streak.

Throughout every day I pray, and nearly every day I listen to a Christian podcast, watch a sermon on YouTube or read a printed devotional — always staying connected with the Word. So, I knew I was “okay” for missing a day in the app, but that pesky daily counter always kind of haunted me.

I have been a regular reader of the Bible app for many years, but just kept stumbling and missing a day here and there. Maybe I’m just too competitive. Nonetheless, around Christmas 2020 I decided the streak would not be broken again. As of today, I have opened and read in the Bible app every single day of 2021, and my streak goes back to a total of 370 days. Hooray!

I’m sharing this not just because I’m proud to have achieved this goal. Yes, it’s very rewarding to see 365 days on this year-end graphic, but what is even cooler is what happened within me all because I was making a conscious effort to click into the Bible app every day.

Of course, this isn’t a Bible reading contest and the point isn’t just to achieve a high number on the surface without any actual internal growth. The purpose is to invoke change in our lives, and I firmly believe that a simple task of purposely clicking into the Bible app every day this year has changed me. I inadvertently took that a step further because throughout most days I would click into the app multiple times just to be sure I hadn’t missed it that day. (I told you I was determined to keep my streak alive!) It wasn’t unusual for me to open the app 4 or 5 times every day … just to be sure. So, I would start to remember the verse of the day because of my repetitive viewing of it. The more I read the verses, the more planted they became, which helped form my battle armor for encountering the world that day. Some days when I had already read the same verse multiple times I would expand and read one of the many plans I had subscribed to, and that furthered my spiritual strength.

What happened inside me was remarkable and I can’t say that I totally expected it. There is definitely something special about being engaged in the Word throughout the day and I am so grateful my former streak-saddened self decided to not give up. Having the mental focus to make sure I opened the app every day caused the Bible to be on my mind a lot more than ever before. What better words to dwell upon! There is power in the daily connection to God’s Word and I can testify to the impact even a few consistent daily moments can have on your life. My spirit was more gentle, my patience was in greater supply, and my attitude was generous and tolerant.

Tomorrow starts perfect year #2 in the Bible app! I hope you will join me!