This is the tenth and final entry in a series of posts by Brian Hardin, author and founder of Daily Audio Bible. If you’ve enjoyed Brian’s insights into the importance of Scripture reading, be sure to sign up for the brand new Daily Audio Bible newsletter—each day, you’ll receive a Bible reading (and a link to hear it read by Brian) to help you get into the habit of reading God’S Word each day.

Here’s his latest essay, drawn from Brian’s book Passages: How Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change Everything for You.

There is nothing that I believe will create the change we want to see in the world more than if God’s people will read God’s Word every day and be transformed by the power contained within it. Reading the Bible has changed me, and it can do the same for you. This is a promise. If you read the Bible every day for a year, you will not be the same. Immersing yourself in the truth of God’s Word will make you different and change your life. So what are you waiting for?

You won’t be the same after truly encountering the Bible. You won’t care about some of the things you care a lot about now. Some of the things that seem huge in life at the moment are going to simply not matter this time next year. It’s true that the stresses and distractions of life will be forced into their proper perspective, but the Bible will never offer the comfort of complacency. It will never allow stagnation. It will never allow us to depend on ourselves and create alternative plans that get things done without God anymore. That isn’t life.

The Bible is about becoming more like Christ. It constantly invites us to submit ourselves in obedience not to make us miserable but to change us from the inside out. An authentic relationship with Jesus is an all-or-nothing proposition, and this requires change. Some changes will likely come hard—it’s not easy to untangle all the kudzu that’s been growing around our hearts and minds as we’ve done our best to make life work on our own terms. It’s not particularly pleasant to allow the Holy Spirit to move into the wounded places in our lives and begin to truly heal what has been oozing bitterness and disappointment. None of this comes easily, but you don’t have to do it alone. God’s Word is the friend you have needed all along, and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit (John 16:7), you will never walk alone (Matthew 28:20).

Go look in the mirror. Look deeply into your eyes. After journeying through the Bible every day for a year, I’d love for you to return to the mirror. You’re likely to see new life twinkling from behind those eyes that isn’t there right now. Those stresses and worries that are pulling at you aren’t going to be the giants they can seem to be these days. You’re going to be different. You will have been transformed from the inside out, but you won’t likely get there by any of the roads you’ve ever traveled before. This is the beauty of being in love, and this is the adventure of traveling with one who knows where all the hidden and breathtaking vistas are.

May you find life in God’s Word, my friend, and may true life find you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May he lift up his countenance on you and give you peace.
May the strength of God go with you.
May the wisdom of God instruct you.
May the hand of God protect you.
May the Word of God direct you.
May you be sealed in Christ this day and forevermore.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog series! We’re grateful to Brian Hardin for making it available on the Bible Gateway blog. If you’ve enjoyed it, be sure to sign up for the Daily Audio Bible reading plan newsletter and check out Brian’s book Passages. You can keep up with him each day at his blog, Twitter feed, or Facebook or G+ pages.