Just about a month ago, I began a Biblical storyline reading plan mapped out by the awesome group the Bible Project! This plan is designed to help you read the Bible, front to back, in 365 days and also includes videos almost every day outlining the themes and giving you context to what you’re reading to help you better understand this wonderful book. I’ve already made it through the first book, Genesis, and have just a few chapters left in Exodus and I’ve began to notice a common theme thus far. The Bible’s characters are human.

Because the Bible is the Holy Book, the true and perfect Word of God, I all too often forget that it’s made up of REAL stories describing the REAL lives of REAL people. My focus is repeatedly on having faith like Abraham, being willing to give up the people and things I love most to follow Him. Or like Joseph when nothing in life seems to be going right and you think there’s no one on your side. Or like Moses, trusting in God’s plan even though you’re 110% sure you don’t have the knowledge, bravery, or abilities to do so. One thing I’ve noticed is that the Bible is very intentional about showing us the other sides of these characters’ stories as well. Abraham told the Egyptians out fear for his own life that Sarah was his sister, rather than his wife. Abraham and Sarah involved Sarah’s servant Haagar to bear Abraham a child because they doubted God’s promise of making their descendants into a great nation. Moses, seeing an Egyptian man beating an Israelite, took matters into his own hands murdered the Egyptian man. And yet, despite these things, God used these sinful human beings to do His work.

So too, will God use you and me to spread His love and serve Him all the days of our lives. He reassures of this in countless places in the Bible. Here’s just a few.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my eye upon you.