I’m grateful to my parents for instilling in me the importance of memorizing Scripture at a young age. They enrolled me in AWANA when I was five, shortly after we moved to California for my dad to attend seminary, and I stayed enrolled until we moved Wisconsin (5th grade). If you’re not familiar with the program, it teaches children to memorize and understand Bible verses in a fun, age-appropriate environment. I can still recite many of the verses I learned during those years, so I am proof that God can use these programs throughout children’s lives to strengthen, encourage, and comfort them.

Later, while I was studying violin in New York, a dear friend and I memorized the entire book of 1 John together. This endeavor reminded us what it meant to walk in the light and be a child of God in an environment where it was very challenging and unpopular to be a Christian. Ivan and I continued this trajectory while we were dating by memorizing Philippians and Colossians.

After my accident, Scripture memory has become A LOT more difficult. I originally thought it was impossible, but over the years the Lord challenged this assumption by revealing how many of the verses I memorized long ago are stored in long-term memory. I’ve realized that Scripture memory is still possible – it just requires significantly more time and repetition. Recently, my discipleship group has been memorizing Psalm 46 at the rate of 1 verse per week. This is the perfect pace for me, and I’m so grateful for how the Lord has been using each verse as timely encouragement.

This post also brings up the question of why memorize Scripture in the first place? My favorite answer is found in Psalm 119:11:

“I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.”

Memorizing Scripture makes us more familiar with what God has told us about himself in his Word, which will grow both our capacity for worship and our gratitude for his amazing gift of salvation. It will also empower us in our ongoing battle against sin and temptation. I’m struck by the fact that even Jesus, when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, chose to resist by quoting Scripture rather than unleashing divine power. Perhaps that was an example for all of us who are not the Son of God, but are nonetheless called to both imitate his example and trust that he can empathize with us in our weaknesses (1 Peter 2:21; Heb. 4:15).

My prayer is that, whether you’ve been memorizing Scripture for a lifetime or are just starting out, this testimony will encourage you as you continue on your journey.

See you tomorrow!