Reading the Word: A habit or a discipline?
Ask Billie Lang of West Point, Mississippi, that question, and she will quickly tell you, “It is a discipline. But if it’s a habit, it’s a good habit. I desire to read the Bible because God speaks to my heart.”
This is from a woman in her 31st year of reading the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation.
I had the opportunity to visit with Billie in her home and hold the Bibles she has used over the years. The first one has her maiden name engraved in gold in the bottom right-hand corner. Her mother and father gave it to her on Dec. 24, 1956, when she was 18, and because it was the King James Version she has never changed after almost 67 years.
The white leather Bible with a taped spine is one of Billie’s prized possessions.
When asked what Bible reading plan she was following, Billie’s answer was simple: “None.”
“I start in Genesis and read. For example, today, I read 25 chapters in the book of Psalms.”
She noted her mother, Frances Everett, had read the Bible through at least 66 times.
Money and an inheritance
Billie Mae Everett grew up in Money, Mississippi, where her family was involved in Riverside Baptist Church and her father was a deacon.
At age 9 or 10, Billie and a friend attended a revival. The friend wanted to go forward to make a profession of faith in Christ, so Billie did too; they were baptized shortly afterward.
At 19 Billie married Wendall Rasdall, who died in 1996. Several years later she married Robert (Bobby) Lang and they eventually settled near Cedarbluff and attended Hebron Baptist Church.
Sometime around age 65, in the middle of the night Billie was awakened by a terrible dream involving a character with horns, coming to take her to Hades. The following day she shared the dream with her husband and he told her she needed to be sure of her salvation.
She said she asked herself, “Did I get saved that night when my girlfriend and I went forward, or did I just join the church?” An honest evaluation told her she had gone forward because of her friend, so that day Billie genuinely repented and placed her faith in Jesus. She was baptized again at Hebron Baptist.
Documenting the years
Billie then showed me another Bible, which she uses nearly seven days a week. She keeps it next to her favorite chair and reads it after morning chores.
At the back of the Bible she has written, “Billie Mae Rasdall (Lang);” “Finished reading Bible through;” “1st time 11-12-84.” Following is a list of 29 more entries. Sometimes the finish date is February, April, June or October. Now she is trying to complete her reading in December.
Since 2011, even with significant health challenges, she has maintained reading the Word.
“As I read the Bible daily, it brings me comfort,” Billie said. “It is like a storybook — every time I read it I learn something new.”
Recognition and a pastor’s perspective
When Pastor Mike Smith, Trinity Baptist Church in West Point, heard about Billie’s commitment to read the Bible through and having done it consistently for so many years, he challenged the congregation to do the same.
Smith said one of the joys of seeing church members follow through with their commitment is to witness their increased knowledge of God’s Word. As he is preaching, they become more engaged because they know what he is talking about.
Billie noted some of the rewards she has experienced: “In my opinion, if you read your Bible He will bring you through many things, especially when you have no idea what’s going to happen next. But He’ll be there for you. Trust the Lord, put your faith in Him and believe what you read.”
