EVERWEST DEVOTIONAL #6 | Dive-In

Scripture

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:16–18 (NIV)

Reflection

I grew up in a loving Catholic family. Between hockey tournaments and other sports, we went to church every Sunday we could. The foundation it gave me in Christ is something I deeply cherish. But even with that foundation, church never fully resonated with me. I struggled to connect with the formality of it all when Jesus Himself felt anything but formal.

At 17 years old, my girlfriend at the time (now wife) brought me to a bible focused church. That experience prompted me to do more surface-level research into scripture. I learned the basics of who Jesus was and what He did for our salvation. It was eye opening and inspiring, but the truth is, I still wasn’t opening my Bible. I had no real relationship with the Lord, although I thought I did.

Fast forward to just a few years ago, when something unexpected happened. A coworker who had been employed for a little more than a month, someone I barely knew, came into my office and told me straight to my face: although I proclaimed to be a Christian, the words I spoke and the way I acted didn’t show it. (As a side note: I wouldn’t recommend this method for leading someone to Christ!) I was furious.

But after going home, talking with my wife, and spending a few days wrestling with it, I came to realize something painful but true: he was right. I wasn’t reading my Bible. I didn’t know much about God beyond the Sunday school stories we all hear growing up, I wasn’t doing anything to further His Kingdom and most of all I didn’t have a true relationship with Christ.

That moment was a turning point. I picked up my Bible and started reading it for myself, consistently, every day. And over the course of the last two years, I felt a transformation in my heart. God lifted the veil Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 and allowed me to see who He truly is. I came face-to-face with the reality of an almighty God sending His own Son to die a cruel, brutal death, so that all of humanity, including me, could have peace, joy, and everlasting life with Him.

That’s why I encourage you today, pick up your Bible. Don’t settle for secondhand knowledge of God. Don’t let formality or routine be the substitute for a loving relationship with Him. When you seek God through scripture, He will tear your veil away. For those of you (like myself) who fall back on the excuse of not having the time, not understanding scripture, or telling yourself you’ll dive in later. I tell you from experience that if you pray on it, and commit to reading it, God will lift the veil and open your eyes with a whole new passion and understanding of His Word. It will be as if you’re reading an entirely new book.

Seek Him through scripture and you will find Him. Jesus Himself said: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8, NIV).

Application

• If you’re reading this and wondering where to start, a good place to start is with the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Meet Jesus firsthand through your reading.
• What “veil” might be keeping you from seeing God clearly right now? Distraction, pride, routine, or something else?
• Are you seeking God firsthand through His Word, or relying mostly on secondhand information about Him?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. Thank You for revealing Yourself not through rituals or routines but through a real relationship with You. Lord, remove the veil from our eyes. Help us to open our Bibles with fresh hunger and desire to know You more. Transform us into Your image as we seek You daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If there’s someone in your life who might be encouraged by this, or future devotionals, please share it with them or subscribe them here. You can also find past devotionals here.

- Jake Bunz, Founder

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