It was Friday afternoon. As I drove home from a fact-filled day of journalism, dreams of curling up into my overstuffed chair with a good fiction book danced across my mind.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to happen. I spent my days writing and researching nonfiction, and it had been months since I’d purchased a fiction book. For months I’d been searching for a book club to satisfy the craving, but finding a proper fit isn’t easy. Things like time of day, compatibility, and style had to be considered. My time would allow for only a few hours to be spent on this project, so it was necessary to select the perfect club. I had narrowed the field between a group that stressed the classics and another that targeted the best-seller list. I was leaning toward the best-seller club and looking forward to reading the top publications in the market.

God must have decided differently, because my decision took a curve when a friend invited me to lunch and asked if I’d be interested in joining her Bible study group.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I have so little time and fiction is what I really want to explore.”

“Give it some thought and get back to me,” she said.

As a long-standing Christian, I was familiar with the Scriptures and Bible stories, but the task of actual studying . . . well, that was something I’d never done.

I brushed the idea off knowing that the world of make-believe was what I wanted. And yikes, even though the Bible would be an interesting study, the thought of studying the same book every month could really be boring, not to mention this club met every week instead of once a month like most book clubs.

Weeks later, after I’d decided to join the best-seller club but hadn’t made the phone call, the same friend called and invited me to go with her the next morning to the Bible study class.

I hesitated but decided I had nothing to lose. Might as well get this issue out of the way and off the table. Tuesday morning, I walked into the church building and a woman was leading the group in song. The light that surrounded her infectious smile was magnetic. Immediately, my heart was warmed like never before. Why, this woman really believes what she’s singing, I thought. She’s not pretending.

Later, in the small introduction class, I was told that study would focus on a specific book of the Bible, dissecting each chapter and verse, discussing the meaning. Sounded a bit laborious and complicated to me.

Even so, that evening it hit me. I’d made a decision to join the best-seller club, but why not an organization that studies the book that’s been the best seller of all time? Even though it wasn’t fiction, the thought of studying the greatest book ever written was intriguing.

It’s been two years and I can’t begin to tell you the impact studying the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, has made on my life. Some verses are challenging, others simple, but through it all I’m gaining a new understanding of the writers’ intent.

I always thought I knew the Bible, but realize now my knowledge was superficial. Comparing Old Testament prophecies with their fulfillment in the New Testament, studying Genesis and realizing how all generations and tribes came from the faith of Noah and Abraham, and traveling with Paul who overcame so many obstacles to share the message of eternal life, has brought a new maturity and growth to my Christian life.

I’m quite aware that I’m still on the nonfiction side of my book choices, but I’m okay with that. Is it boring? Never! After all, the Bible contains 66 books written by more than 40 different authors, who all have different writing styles that embrace history, poetry, short stories, mystery, and memoir. |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - Bringing Christ to French Guiana
November 1, 2009 - Walking the edge
October 18, 2009 - Watch what you say
October 4, 2009 - Proposing a new proverb
September 20, 2009 - Fear and trembling
September 6, 2009 - Elwyn
August 23, 2009 - Where did the Bible go?
August 9, 2009 - The public school: a local mission field
July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 19, 2009 - Operation Resensitization
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
February 8, 2009 - What is missing from your retirement plans?
January 25, 2009 - Turn the page
December 28, 2008 - Abba, Father
December 14, 2008 - Elementary truths
November 30, 2008 - The illusion
October 19, 2008 - Acting like a toddler
October 5, 2008 - Don’t miss this
September 21, 2008 - Foolish schemes
September 7, 2008 - God’s hand is everywhere
August 24, 2008 - The dance
August 10, 2008 - Strange land
July 27, 2008 - God’s amazing grace
June 29, 2008 - My grandfather’s clock and worship
June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
May 4, 2008 - God is not our fairy godmother
April 6, 2008 - Success: what is it and who can measure up?
March 9, 2008 - Need to know
February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
January 13, 2008 - By invitation only
December 5, 2007 - Yes, Abbie, there is a Jesus
November 18, 2007 - 10 Ways to be a good Christmas customer
October 21, 2007 - The dividing line
September 23, 2007 - What do you fear?
September 9, 2007 - A life well lived
August 26, 2007 - To murmur, or not to murmur
July 29, 2007 - The cross and the Christian
July 15, 2007 - Turning the other cheek: still a valuable biblical principle
July 1, 2007 - Why the tie?
June 3, 2007 - The death of a son
May 6, 2007 - A prayer for the dying
April 8, 2007 - The omnipresent God
March 11, 2007 - Do the Amish have superheroes?
February 11, 2007 - What’s your black history?
January 14, 2007 - The split branch
December 31, 2006 - The house of regret
December 10, 2006 - The redemption of the innkeeper
November 26, 2006 - Too many choices
November 12, 2006 - Break the bashing habit: Learning to love the unsaved like Christ does: November 12, 2006
October 15, 2006 - Be ‘salt and light’ this Christmas!: October 15, 2006
September 17, 2006 - Who is a legalist?: September 17, 2006 Issue 38
July 23, 2006 - God speaks through our brokenness: July 23, 2006 Issue 38
June 25, 2006 - 'What I am looking for in my church leaders'