Last week we talked about how people who aren’t creatures of habit (but crave some order in their lives) benefit from rhythms of attention. If that’s you, you can read it here.

There’s one rhythm of attention that forms the foundation for our family. I can’t think of a more subversive rhythm to build your life around. In fact, it’s so dangerous, it’s not even legal in many countries.

Of course we’re talking about reading the Bible. There’s nothing magical about the book itself, but if you approach the Bible on it’s own terms, you meet a person who wrecks your life. Challenges you to rethink everything. Fills you with awe, delight, terror and hope.

A lot of people suggest starting the Bible at the Gospel of John. I get that.  But Julie Andrews was right. The beginning is a very good place to start.

Starting at the Gospel of John is like arriving at a play halfway through the second act. You don’t know the characters, the plot’s unintelligible, and you’re left guessing everyone’s motivation.

When we decided part of listening to God was paying attention to His word, we began making Torah (the first five books of the Bible) part of our daily lives. Saying it’s changed everything is an understatement. This simple rhythm is changing how we celebrate, work, pray, think, play, worship and buy stuff. We met a person who wrecked our lives. In the very best way.

We’d read the Bible for years. We were leaders in multiple churches. But we were approaching the book, and the person, on our terms. When that changed, everything changed.

Here’s how we make this work: we use this app that takes us through the whole Torah every year. We read at mealtime (our kids listen quietly when they’re chewing). If mealtime doesn’t work, we read at bedtime, or play catch-up on weekends.

This reading plan sends us to related passages in other books of the Bible. So we end up discussing the whole word of God. The kids ask tons of great questions. Mostly we answer with more questions.

This simple rhythm of attention has led to many other life-giving rhythms. I’ll tell you about an unexpected one next week.

How has the Word (the book and the person) changed how you do life?