Operation Saturation

I look forward to the start of a new year for several reasons. One is the feeling of new beginnings. I enjoy looking at a blank planner filled with empty pages that are ready to be scheduled and activities to attend. Second, I relish the opportunity to continue my journey of faith. By nature I am a planner, I like to think about what book of the Bible I want to study and usually I come up with a schedule for the coming year and this one is no different. I am, however, making a small alteration to my usual methods regarding my quiet time this year and that is increasing my exposure to the Word. Typically, I tackle one book at a time, a few verses at a time but this year I want to add a few extras. I will be listening to the entire Bible this year, following a plan through the Dwell app. I am also going to read several chapters each day though I may not read the entire Bible in a year. I want the freedom to just read through the Bible without feeling the pressure to read so much at a time to stay on schedule. My desire is to just soak up the Word of God and perhaps keep notes as I make my way through these precious passages. This plan, what I call “Operation Saturation”, stems from a thought that I have been contemplating over the last few months: my need to be saturated with God’s word. 
What does it mean to be saturated?
The word “Saturated” means to be completely filled with something so that no more can be added. It comes from a Latin word meaning “to fill, sate, drench”. Think about the impact that definition could have on the life of a believer. When the ground is saturated with water after a downpour it spills out liquid when you walk on it. It is so full of water that it oozes with the slightest touch. Are we so full of the scripture that when someone touches us or presses us, the Bible comes out? That thought forces me to stop and self-examine myself including my thoughts, actions, and habits. If my first response is to snap at someone when they say something mean or unkind to me then I am not displaying love or long suffering. If I grow impatient with the extremely slow cashier and find myself growing more irritable with each passing moment, I am not exercising patience. If, however, my heart is saturated, filled with the Word of God, I will be more equipped to respond correctly.
Equipped to Live for Christ
To saturate yourself with the Word of God means you are equipping yourself for life’s battles. Every day we will be faced with choices. The choice to be kind to a boss who yells at us even though it was not our fault. The choice to exercise a little more patience with our children as they hurry to keep up. The choice to forgive when someone treats us rudely. When we are filled with the Spirit, our responses will reflect the Spirit, but if we are filled with our own flesh instead our responses will reveal it. Paul told the Ephesians in chapter 5 verse 18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be ye filled with the Spirit”. To be filled completely with something so that no more can be added. If we are filled with the Spirit we leave no room for the flesh. This is how we put on the armor of God and defeat both our foe and our flesh. Later on in chapter six of Ephesians, Paul tells us why we need this heavenly armor:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ready to do Battle
I find it interesting that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. A sword is a versatile and valuable weapon. It stays nicely by your side but can be ready for defense in a flash. In order for this weapon to be useful, it is important to be familiar with it which requires hours of training. Ask any actor, who has had to portray an expert swordsman on screen, how many hours of work they put into learning to wield a blade. As children of the Most High God, we have for who will spare no effort in his attacks against us. He will use every weapon at his disposal to try and defeat us. The only way to withstand his fierce volley of blows is to suit up in the armor Paul lays out for us in Ephesians six. I do want to point out again, the importance of the sword. Much of the armor Paul describes is for defense, for the protection of the wearer, but the sword is meant for both defense and offense.
When Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew chapter four, Jesus used scripture to defeat every argument and attack. Our Savior was able to wield the Word correctly because He was familiar with it. Yes, I know that He also wrote every word but He has provided a way for each of us to be just as familiar with it. God has preserved His written Word for every generation to know it and with the help of technology, we have never before had such easy access to it. Sadly, though we have so many ways to read and even listen to the Word of God, we are among the most spiritually illiterate in history. This diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence, we can cure ourselves by becoming a student of the Word.
Become a Saturated Student of the Word
In 2 Timothy 2 verse 15, Paul told his son in the faith, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We can be as familiar with the scriptures as we want to be, but the motivation and effort depend completely on us. This choice requires commitment and discipline. Our foe and our flesh will fight us every step of the way but we must endure as good soldiers. We must keep the faith and run the race. I promise that the work will be worth it all when we see Christ, the One who gave His life for us.
This is my heart's desire for the coming years, to continue to be a diligent student of the word and the best way to learn the material is to saturate myself with it. I want to be ready to give any man an answer for the hope that is within me (1 Peter 3:15). I want to be so full of the Word of God that there is no room for anything else. This is how I can reflect the image of my Savior in my actions, reactions, and interactions. May this be the year that we choose to become students of the Word. Who else will join me on this heavenly mission and be a part of Operation Saturation.