I have a confession to make.

This year, I set out to do some serious Scripture memorization. We’re talkin’ a full memorization of the book of Colossians. Eeek! And you know what? I’m so far behind, it’s not even funny.

As I was reflecting on how much more I have to go before I hit my goal, I began to think about the concept of discipline—specifically Scripture memory. I began to realize what “success” and what “failure” looks like for this goal.

Failure might be different than you think.

I don’t consider it a failure that I will likely miss the December 31 cutoff for all 2,000-ish words of Colossians to be completely memorized. In fact, I would consider it a failure if I did memorize the entirety without a key ingredient…

The right heart posture.

Scripture memory is a discipline that requires much effort for me. So, I’ve spent many, many weeks reading and re-reading the book of Colossians. I’ve read paragraphs on repeat. I’ve discovered it takes 15 minutes for the YouVersion narrator to read it to me while I walk on a treadmill. I’ve memorized the locations of the chapters in my Bible because of looking at it so often. I’m getting familiar with this book for sure.

The question that comes to my mind is…what does it matter if I have a book memorized if it’s not actually hidden in my heart? There is a difference, friends!

We can strive and strive to become disciplined. But there is a key ingredient that needs to make its way into the practices as well.

We must come with a heart ready to be formed by Jesus.

So, as I reflected on this, I began to weave in prayer with my memorization. Colossians 1:3-6 says:

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.”

Instead of turning into robot mode and regurgitating what I had memorized, I would begin to meditate on the lines spoken.

“for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.”

Jesus, I want to express kind of love in my life. Thank You for giving me hope so I can practice this just like Paul is urging the Colossian church.

“It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.”

It’s so easy to get caught up in negativity, especially when it comes to Your Church, God. Thank You for the reminder that You are at work in Your Church! There is growth and transformation happening in Your Kingdom that I’m probably not even aware of! Help me to stay childlike in my faith and always truly appreciate and rely on Your grace.

I’m slowly but surely making my way through memorizing Colossians, and I am enjoying the journey. But more importantly, I’m being formed by Jesus as I let the Word of God soak into my heart.

What Spiritual discipline are you working on right now?

Be encouraged that it’s the heart Jesus wants, friend, not a perfected formula or performance.

And while we tend to think we’ve arrived at success once we check off a “completed” discipline, I think Jesus is doing the heavy lifting right now as we pursue Him and surrender our time and attention to His ability to transform us.  

— Emily Heaton