The practice of memorizing Scripture has often been joked about along with soccer mom’s, home schoolers, and minivans, (of which I’m 3 out of 4). Recently I’ve heard popular preachers make fun of the idea, comparing ‘memorizing Scripture’ vs. ‘living it out’ as if to say they aren’t in agreement. Pictures of The Simpsons’ Ned Flanders comes to mind as the ‘type’ of person who memorizes parts of the Bible, but from my own personal experience there is very little that compares to its ability to sear the mind.
There is such an extreme amount of thought-traffic out there with a youtube video for each one that it can be hard to hear your own let alone His thoughts. Trying to find some time to quiet it all down can be challenging enough and is probably one of the main reasons people refer to it as a joke. Whatever and why-ever the idea that memorizing Scripture has become a joke, again, I have never come into such conflict in my mind as I do when I try.
I remember when I started memorizing Scripture, it was literally like crossing a highway. Every thought screamed for my attention, they were all so important, I had to fight each of them off and get my mind to zero. I would lay the Bible open on my lap and, like trying to use dental floss when you have tremors, the battle would often get fierce. At times I’d even have to bust out the big guns and start calling things out in Jesus’ Name. This became evidence enough to me that I needed to do it.
Since attempting it, I have noticed that my thoughts have become more in line with Scripture. I began to train them to submit to His living and active Word and they did eventually quiet down. Facebook and other social networks, let alone everyday life, can often become a battleground. I’d read comments so offensive or so lacking in hope I’d be prone to worry for people. Instead of reacting, my thoughts would find their way to zero and He would be there giving me better ones.
Am I saying memorizing Scripture leads to perfection? No, but I am saying that along the road He leads me on there is no better radio station for my heart, soul, and mind than His Word. Memorizing it made it that much more readily available to me. Waiting in lines or in traffic became opportunities to recite, and when thoughts would demand my attention I’d tell them to wait their turn, and they would.
Memorizing Scripture may still be a joke to many, but one more thought, consider actors, if they don’t memorize their script the play is ruined. I would say you owe it to yourself to try. Start with whatever you want, maybe John 3:16 or Genesis 1:1, then attempt chapters and eventually entire books. The Psalms can be very rewarding as well as the New Testament often sites/quotes them. You get to have an entirely different level of intimacy with His Word when you do. It becomes what you think and talk about. His Word begins to have a prominent place bringing order to all of the endless traffic in our minds.
Memorizing and speaking His words is no joke and will endure long after Facebook is forgotten, let alone after heaven and earth pass away. It is powerful and will help to keep us focused on eternity.