By Jamie Harms
But what about the things that aren’t so comfortable and the discipline to do that which keeps us healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually? Are we as likely to carve out the time, to prioritize these things?
I am very much not a morning person — just ask my husband — and yet I have been a part of a prayer group for years that meets at 6:30 a.m. each Thursday. Praying with my sisters in Christ has been a priority, and while so many mornings I just want to roll over and go back to sleep, I know these women are waiting for me. I drag myself out of bed, and I never regret the weekly decision to choose prayer over sleep.
What do you prioritize in your life? One area that I want to invite you to consider caring about and making time for this coming school year is being regularly in God’s Word with other women. In today’s world, it is easy to listen to a sermon or podcast, read an article online, or plod through a Bible reading plan without ever having the opportunity and accountability of doing it with others. While these things are well and good, it is easy to slip out of the habit of doing them or miss out on the wisdom and perspective of others when we do it alone.
I would like to invite you to a UFC women’s Bible study this fall, where we will jump into the book of Joshua together. Starting October 10, we will meet each Thursday for a time of teaching, discussion, and prayer. This time together will direct us to be in God’s Word throughout the week, while this blog will provide additional encouragement and connection with others, who are reading and studying the same material with us.
Although prayer for a long time was something that I knew I should care about, over time with the help of my Thursday morning ladies, prayer became something I passionately cared about. Prayer took a more prominent place in my time and reflected the statement that what one cares about she will actually do. Will you carve out the time to be in God’s Word, to grow as God’s daughters and navigate this crazy world around us through the light God’s Word provides for our path and through His people, His gift to us on our journey with Him?
With the changing of the season and the routine of fall upon us, I want to challenge and encourage you to think about how you will be in God’s Word with others in this season and consider joining us on Thursdays starting October 10th. You may choose either Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Barn or Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Willamette Bible Chapel. The Thursday morning option will include a kids program, while the evening option will include a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Bible study options for children through 5th grade, middle schoolers, and adults. Contact Jamie Harms at jamieharms@gmail.com for more information on the study and to reserve your spot at either the am or pm study.
