My "Read It Through" Story: The Power of God's Word by Luda Teterina

Luda Teterina continues our “Read It Through” stories this week. Thank you, Luda, for sharing your story!

I grew up in a home where the Bible was valued greatly and read often. I learned about the significance of the Bible early on. I watched both of my parents read the Bible almost daily.

The very first book I learned to read from … you guessed it, was the Bible. Not the children’s Bible with simpler language and sweet pictures. My grandmother taught me to read from Psalms from her old, worn-out, yellow paged Bible where the only picture was a tiny cross on the cover. At any significant event of life—celebrations, mourning, saying goodbyes or hellos—my dad would get his Bible out and provide a brief devotional right there on the spot, always followed by a communal prayer. I can still see us, in my memory, getting ready to hit the road going on vacation, with our suitcases packed and waiting by the door—only to gather around in a circle one more time to hear the word of God read and to request traveling mercies.

Back then, in Russia, there were no seminaries or formal theological education. There were no additional study resources, devotional guides, or reading plans. There was just the Bible. To read the word out loud, to hear it, to speak it, to ponder it was a Sunday School, small group, worship, and service all in one.

It was a way for my family and me to understand the Bible and to try to implement it in our lives.

It is no wonder that I still treasure my old, worn-out, fringe paged Bible to this day. The Russian Bible I read today was given to my father on his 50th birthday by our senior pastor. And my father gave this Bible to me when I was baptized. So, I carry a beautiful memory of both of these great men with me.

I try to read the Bible as often as I can, though not daily, if I am honest. I am amazed at the infinite wisdom and variety of genres and styles in which it was written. Some parts of the Bible read like an action novel—the Books of Samuel, the Kings, Gospels, Acts—I want to get lost in them. Some parts are like poetry and inspiration—the Psalms, the Proverbs, the Song of Songs—I want to sing them. Some parts are hard for me to read and comprehend, and it is not a language barrier issue! Words of the prophets make me uncomfortable. Some parts portraying violence make my heart cringe. Some parts I want to skip and move on. And to crown it off—Revelation, a book of its own right, has it all, the poetry, the mystery, the violence. It is probably the hardest book for me to read. I have read it several times, and every time I brace myself before beginning it once again. 

What is it about God’s word that brings all these feelings and experiences to us? How is it that one small book can challenge us, comfort us, rescue us, examine us, strengthen us, and bring the best in us all at the same time?

One of my favorite scripture passages is Jeremiah 29:11-13, one of the most famous in the Bible. 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 future and hope. When I left Russia to come to the States, a friend gave me this passage on a card to take with me. Then, coincidentally, a friend who welcomed me on this side of the Atlantic Ocean gave this passage to me on a plaque—as I am writing, I am looking at this plaque on my wall. I have returned to this passage many times through the years, through difficult times and happy times, and I am still amazed at how true these words are. God’s word has power to connect us across the world and bring comfort and strength in ways we cannot imagine.

What is your favorite scripture? Which parts of the Bible make you want to keep on reading? Which parts make you uncomfortable, angry, sad? I hope you open your Bible often this year and look for the inspiration and guidance God has in store for you.