Making Memorizing Beautiful

I don’t really have much Scripture memorized.

I remember a lot of Scripture. I have a paraphrasing-style mind. I can tell you when Paul discusses the trumpets sounding and the world breaking forth into an eternal splendor and death no longer has any sting is 1 Corinthians 15, but to say it word for word—verbatim—is challenging for me.

I have one piece of Scripture memorized very well, mostly because of sentimental value. It was given to me on an index card by a mentor who said, “memorize it.” And I did. I wanted to show this person that I could actually do it.

In high school I had to memorize the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales. I still remember it to this day. I love the sound of the language. It’s beautiful. And my wife thoroughly hates it. She thinks when I recite it I’m showing off, but I really say it because Middle English is this lilting, hardscrabble language that hearkens back to days when we even our very words were more attached to the earth (pardon the English major moment).

I think that is the challenge for me as I memorize I John. It’s not about my spiritual maturity, my advancement, my pride—so that I can say I have a whole book of the Bible memorized. It will be worth it when I can memorize it because it is beautiful.

Memorize Scripture With Me!

Though I may not admit to it very often, I do have a few flaws.

One of them is memorization.

I am awful at it.

I have drifted toward more experiential styles of Bible reading like lectio divina or meditation because it doesn’t require the kid of memorization I am so bad at.

Thankfully, Kimberlee Conway Ireton is spearheading an effort to help people memorize Scripture, and I reluctantly/joyously signed up for it.

You can join us in memorizing I John this year by following the instructions on Kimberlee’s blog: “Reach“.

As an added bonus, I am giving away two copies of Kimberlee’s book The Circle of the Seasons to the two people who A) join us in this exercise and B) share in the comments how memorizing Scripture has helped you in the past or your worst memorization disaster. Simply leave a comment that you are going to participate along with a brief (2-3 sentences) recounting of how memorizing Scripture has led to triumph or ruin. I’ll pick my favorite two to receive the book and contact the winners to write a longer version of what they shared for publication on Everyday Liturgy.

I’m looking forward to memorizing along with many of you and reading your comments!