You're Crazy!

If one year ago, you had told me that I would memorize books of the Bible, I would have thought you were speaking to someone else (or that you were crazy). I didn't not consider it possible - not for me anyway. I had never memorized anything longer than just a few verses together. However, memorizing things comes easily for me. Kevin noticed it first (much to his amusement) in that I know all of the lyrics to a ridiculous number of soft rock songs from the early 90s... and to almost any song I have ever heard a few times. Next, and more significantly, I memorized many of the books I read to Chloe repeatedly. I wasn't trying, it just happened over time. My husband, wise man that he is, encouraged me to put that skill to work in more beneficial ways. 

The first longer passage of Scripture I memorized was Colossians 3 (which I have nearly forgotten now - not even a year later). I was inspired to do so when I came to chapter 8, How to Wield the Word in the Fight for Joy, in When I Don't Desire God. I utilized the method John Piper shares in that chapter (pg. 122).  I memorized one verse per day. I was amazed at the benefit I gained from having the whole chapter, rather than smaller portions. However, I did not, at the time, have a plan for retention. 

Months later, I was rearranging some things when I found An Approach to the Extended Memorization of  Scripture, by Andrew Davis, the pastor of FBC in Durham, NC.  I read through the little booklet quickly. (It was the very booklet Piper referenced in his book.) It seemed easy enough. I really liked that he addressed how to retain what you have already memorized. I decided that I could, perhaps, memorize an entire book. After all, Colossians is only 4 chapters and I had already memorized one of them. It wouldn't be too difficult to memorize the rest. I began to pray about it, something Andrew Davis recommended (seems obvious, doesn't it?). I sought Kevin's counsel (good move!). He recommended Ephesians for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was the up-coming series the pastors were preparing for our church. I prayed some more and felt God leading me to tackle Ephesians (a whopping 155 verses!). Suddenly, it didn't seem so easy. 

In his kindness, God did not allow me to start with the easiest thing. He brought me to a place of utter dependance on him. I realized that God wanted to stretch me. So, I set a goal for completion (September 6, 2008) and began memorizing 3 verses per day, six days per week. Even now, it seems crazy. By God's grace, I finished it on September 6th!

I was afraid to "move on" from Ephesians because I didn't want to lose it. I recited the entire book of Ephesians almost every day for 50 days after I finished memorizing it. Now, I recite it a couple times a week to retain it. Amazingly, I have it down better now than I did when I first memorized it. 

Tomorrow, I will tell you what I am doing now. (I bet you already know!)