There have been times, however, when I have taken someone's advice very seriously. For example, an elderly relative of mine was sick some time ago, and I was at a loss what to do for her. I consulted a social worker, who listened carefully and made some suggestions. I noted these down and thought them over, and some of them I decided to do.

The reason I treated the social worker's advice more seriously than advise I easily forget is very simple. I was looking for her help. When we are not looking for help, even good advise tends to pass us by. When we are, we may give consideration even to advice which is unexpected or difficult to follow.

This has implication for how we read the Bible. If we read the Bible merely because we are curious or just trying to carry through on a commitment or want to know more than other people, we will probably find that our reading goes stale. Even if the Bible continues to hold our attention, it may have little impact on our lives.

But it we come to the Scriptures convinced that we do not understand what our life is supposed to be like until God shows us, and that we do not have the ability to lead the life God has created us for without his help, then we will find that the Bible becomes more and more helpful.

Protestant theologian J. I. Packer was once asked how he kept Bible-reading from becoming merely a professional exercise. His answer was, "I read with a sense of personal need." That is a key to Bible-reading not only for theologians but for the rest of us as well.

Kevin Perrotta