Life verses, or a verse for a specific season, were a novel concept for me as an adult. I grew up in a Christian home, was active in my church, and loved Jesus. But, the idea of a life verse was not one I remember ever discussing. I had “favorite” scripture verses. Some Bible verses resonated deeply with me at different times- but I don’t remember anyone referring to these scriptures as Life Verses. This difference in vocabulary may seem like a silly distinction, but I share it because it could have been a stumbling block for me.

I remember a specific day in 2009 when I was at the weekly gathering for the women’s Bible Study group I attended. As we gathered and shared all the amazing things the Lord was doing in these women’s lives, I could genuinely celebrate each answer to prayer. These women were my prayer warriors; they stood in with and for me during a challenging season. We prayed for each other, our families, and our community’s needs. We rejoiced; I rejoiced with the answers we were receiving to our prayers.

Then, I noticed a few phrases repeated throughout the praise reports. “God gave me a verse,” or “The Holy Spirit is showing me a verse for this season,” or the one that really grabbed my attention, “My life verse for the year is…” I had been rejoicing with these women, but suddenly, there was a shift in my thoughts. I became discontent. All of a sudden, I was whiny. I was a brat. My thoughts turned from praising God to complaining. “God, why haven’t you ever given me a life verse? Why can’t I have a special verse for this terrible season?”

I don’t know if God- the Holy, Perfect, All-sufficient Creator of all things- gives side-eye. But if He does, I am positive that He was giving me side-eye in that moment. I had moved at lightning speed from being grateful for all God was doing and showing us in answer to prayer to comparing and coveting. Thankfully, He knows my frame. He remembers I am but dust. He knows my weaknesses and loves me anyway. In my spirit, I heard Him whisper reminders of specific instances in which He had planted a scripture in my heart and mind in preparation for a particular need. He reminded me of times He brought a scripture to mind consecutively and very obviously multiple times before I needed them so those scriptures would be fresh in my mind. How had I missed them? How had I missed His loving care of me?

So, now we have an agreement, God and I. He continues to send me verses in preparation for any need I will have, and I continue to ask Him to give me eyes to see and ears to hear all He has for me. I never want to miss His Word for any season of my life. I have also chosen to be more intentional in noticing the verses that seem to “randomly appear” in my life. You probably get them, too. Those verses that suddenly come up in every conversation or are in every sermon or devotional. Those verses which are seemingly inserted into your life repeatedly without you seeking them. If you pay attention, I suspect those are your “verse for the season.”

Excerpt from Choose To Live on Philippians Way (2024)  by C.A. Adams