Why Read the Bible?

I did a Google search on the topic: "why read the bible?" I found many interesting postings, most from religious sites. In one of the postings, I saw the following:

A lad of seven years took the Bible one day from the library table in his home and asked, "Is this God's Book, Mother?" "Certainly It is," was her reply. "Well," continued the lad, "don't you think we might as well send It back to God? We don't use It here, do we?" This incident may cause us to smile, but it reveals a sad and vital lack of reading the Bible.

I thought this funny at first, but then after some reflection, I realized that I was really not much different from the mother. I tell people (so I guess I must believe) that the Bible is the "Word of God" and that it contains the "words of life." I can quote II Tim 3:16-17 by heart: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I can also quote Hebrews 4:12 by heart: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Are you impressed? You shouldn't be - if you knew me, you wouldn't be.

Being able to say the right thing or having the ability to quote some scripture from memory, does not prove anything. The proof is in the actions of my life? Do I read the bible every day? NO! Do I pray daily for insight and understanding? NO! Do I practice what I seem to preach? NO!

So, what should I do? I see three options.

ONE: Throw my Bible away and claim it all to be a fake. The Bible is worthless. God does not really exist. If he did, my life would be better. I tried reading the Bible in the past, some times diligently for long periods of time, but my life did not really change all that much. I did not inherit lots of money. My job did not get better. Illness issues in my family did not go away. So, instead of turning God and to the Bible, I will turn away. Instead of embracing, I will reject. That is one option.

TWO: I can just lay down and proclaim myself to be a failure. I have tried many things in my life for a period of time and then quit. I guess I just don't have what it takes to be spiritual. I tried and I failed, so I should give up. God cannot stand me anyway. I made many, many promises to him that I have broken. How can he possibly care about me. He knows I am a liar. He knows the thoughts that run through my mind. Those convict me without doubt. I cannot do it and even if I did, it would not please God. I have done so much wrong that no matter what I do or say, it will never be enough. So, I just give up. That is another option.

THREE: I grab on to what I have been told about God, forgiveness, and love and I read/study because I want to know more about God. I am not doing anything to gain favor - according to what the religious people say, I have already received that. I get up and try again and again and again, because I am who I am and I know that I am not perfect. God, the world, human nature, Jesus, forgiveness, love, ...; these do not make sense to me. I know the words, but I do not think that I really understand what these mean. I will read to learn. That is the option that I am choosing. I want to learn about God.

For the next few days, I am going to write out some reasons for why I think it is good to read the Bible. If anyone has anything to add, please do so. If not, I write for myself to clarify my feelings, to organize my thoughts, and to record these so that I can come back some day to see what convictions I had and to see what convictions I have then.