Rachael Witkay
Growing up in a Christian home, Rachael always knew who Jesus was. When she purchased herself a journaling Bible, Rachael discovered the power of writing and reading, and how her passions connected with the truth of scripture. Read to hear how Rachael’s journaling Bible lead her into a daily pursuit of the Father.
I knew for a while that I wanted to have a journaling Bible. I’m a writer and I express myself through what I write and create. I bought myself a Hosanna Revival Bible because I wanted to go deeper with the Lord through journaling, and I wanted to be sensitive to what He was doing.
Through reading my Bible, I have seen His face and I have a fascination and a wonder inside of me for His heart. I don’t believe anything could take that away from me.
I absolutely love journaling. I process my feelings, emotions, struggles, and victories through writing. I have a passion for writing down my thoughts and where I’m at spiritually, and I love writing down everything God says to me. I have gone through four journals in the past year or so, and I’m going on five as of now. I’ve always grown up in a Christian home, but over the past three years, I have really drawn closer to the Lord through my time in scripture. Journaling in my Bible is the perfect tool for me to interact with God.
After having my Bible for over a year now, I have learned so much about the heart of my Father. I’ve learned who He is; that He never leaves me, He always has a plan even when I can’t see, that He is always faithful, and so many more beautiful things. Through reading my Bible, I have seen His face and I have a fascination and a wonder inside of me for His heart. I don’t believe anything could take that away from me. I’ve also discovered who I am in Christ, that I am a daughter, I have authority, and I have an anointing and a gift over my life that is the sole expression of how the Father loves me.
None of this happened overnight. Through the past year, I have been through a lot of highs and some lows in my walk with the Lord. I would be lying if I said I woke up every single morning with a passion and a hunger to read the Word. There have been countless days and weeks when I lack the desire to sit down with Jesus, to spend time in his word, and it’s easy for me to choose to do something else. During those times, when I have decided to fight past my lack of motivation and still open my Bible--I found peace. I found grace. I found freedom. I found love, I found protection, I found passion. I found God when I showed up, and when I showed up hungry.
Through reading and journaling, I have been able to memorize and recall scripture at times when I need it the most. To me, it’s almost like I’m declaring a promise. It’s like I can feel the power coming out of me when I speak God’s Word. When I’m going through something, I love declaring Psalm 23 over my life. Before I go to bed sometimes, or if I’m having trouble going to sleep, I will speak this out, and I feel a peace that I really can’t explain.
Since diving deeper into my walk with Jesus, I have seen God’s faithfulness and His mighty hand at work over and over again. I’ve seen Him move in ways I didn’t expect Him to. I’ve seen God heal my body in very unusual ways, and I’ve experienced His miracles and wonders in too many ways to count. Seeing everything God said and did in the Bible gives me hope and courage to trust Him to do those wonders again.
For, ‘In Him we live and move and have our being.’
- Acts 17:28
I have been clinging to this scripture because it reminds me of how my relationship with Christ is a daily pursuit. I’m reminded that only in Christ do I have everything I need. Only in the arms of my Father am I complete and whole. This verse reminds me that on my own I am unsatisfied, but when I abide in Him and choose Him, He satisfies my every need. I believe that God wants to be a part of my everyday life because He made my life complete in Him, and this verse reminds me to give God permission to be in my everyday life. On days when I don’t feel like reading, or when my life is too busy, I recall this verse and remember that He is a part of each and every day. It’s fun and a little scary at the same time, but I know I’m growing and God has a purpose.
None of this happened overnight. I would be lying if I said I woke up every single morning with a passion and a hunger to read the Word.
It doesn’t matter how young or old you are. Go after the heart of God with everything you have and get lost in His presence. I don’t regret a single time I sat down and read the Word of God. Even if you don’t feel it or if you’re not “in the mood” to read the Bible — read it anyways. God honors your time and your hunger. He always shows up when we’re expectant. Come to the table. Come to the water. Come hungry and thirsty and allow God’s Word to satisfy you. He never left me hungry or alone, and He won’t leave you that way either. When you spend time in the Word, day after day, month after month, it changes you. I found who I am in Christ through reading His Word, and that is the most rewarding and beautiful thing I have ever experienced.
