A few weeks ago, I sat down with my Bible, ready for my usual routine. But then, I felt very clearly that the Lord was telling me not to. I was confused at first, but then it hit me: I was just checking this off my list. I wasn’t spending real, intimate time with God. This experience made me realize how important our intentions are when we seek Him.

The Trap of Checking Off a List

I’ve always been a knowledge collector. As the oldest of four and an honor student, I’ve prided myself on knowing things, whether it’s about nutrition, fitness, history, or now, the Bible. But my drive to learn and know more had turned my Bible study into a way to validate myself to others rather than to grow closer to God.

I was reading the Bible like a history book, not the holy and sacred Word of God. My biggest fear was looking stupid, and I used my knowledge to avoid that. But God showed me that simply knowing the Word wasn’t enough – my heart needed to be in the right place.

Intentions Matter

Intentions play a huge role in our spiritual practices. Spending time in the Word without the right intentions can turn a holy act into a hollow routine. The Bible isn’t just a book of facts; it’s God’s love letter to us. It’s meant to guide us, comfort us, and help us grow in our relationship with Him.

When we approach the Bible with the wrong intentions, we miss out on its true purpose. I realized I wasn’t spending intimate time with God. I was just collecting knowledge to feel validated by others. My intentions were off, and I needed to fix that.

Genuine Connection

To truly connect with God, we need to approach Him with the right heart. It’s not about spending a set amount of time in prayer or reading the Bible out of obligation. It’s about seeking a real, personal relationship with Him. When we read the Bible, we should do so with reverence and gratitude, understanding that it’s a precious gift from God.

I had to shift my mindset from treating the Bible as a textbook to seeing it as God’s sacred Word. This shift in perspective helped me to genuinely seek God’s presence and guidance, rather than just accumulating knowledge.

The Role of Praise and Worship

I also realized that my praise and worship were often driven by my needs rather than a genuine desire to honor God. I used worship as a way to ask God for things, treating Him like an ATM. True worship is about acknowledging God for who He is, not just for what He can do for us.

A video I watched made me question if I was truly content with God in every circumstance or just saying the words. This conviction helped me see the importance of seeking God for who He is, not just for His blessings.

Encouragement and Hope

If you’ve ever found yourself going through the motions in your spiritual practices, know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into this trap, but it’s never too late to refocus and approach God with the right intentions. Take time to evaluate your heart and make sure you’re seeking a genuine connection with Him.

Conclusion

Getting our hearts right and approaching God with the right intentions can transform our spiritual lives. It’s not about how much we know or how perfectly we perform our spiritual routines. It’s about genuinely seeking God’s presence and growing in our relationship with Him.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reflect on your own spiritual practices. Are you truly connecting with God, or just checking off a list? What steps can you take to make your time with Him more intentional and genuine?

FAQs

Why does Bible reading sometimes feel empty?
It can feel empty when it becomes routine-driven instead of relationship-driven.

Is it wrong to have a Bible reading routine?
No but routines without right intentions can turn sacred time into a checklist.

What should I do if my quiet time feels forced?
Pause, pray, and ask God to realign your heart before focusing on discipline.

Does God care how much I read the Bible?
God cares more about your heart posture than the amount of Scripture you consume.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your quiet time, or unsure of what God’s asking from you, you’re not alone.

My Free 5-Day Bible Study is designed to help you reconnect with God through Scripture, not pressure. One simple step each day, just you and Him.

Click here to get started, He’s not after your checklist. He’s after your heart.