Smythe, Elanee

Name:  Elanee Smythe

City/State:  Hillsboro, Oregon

Years of Qualification:  2010, 2011




Why I Love the Bee:
I love the Bible Bee because it encourages families to get into the Word of God for themselves and spend time studying and memorizing it. Without an in-depth understanding of the Bible, we can be tossed about by every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. We must gird up the loins of our minds, and let no man despise our youth, but instead we must be an example among the believers in Word, in Conversation, in spirit, in faith, in hope, and in charity. And the only way this is possible is by getting into the Word for ourselves. We cannot base our beliefs on what our parents have told us, or the way we were raised, or what everyone around us does. We must base our beliefs solely upon the Word of God, for that is the only thing that cannot be shaken by this present evil world. And that’s why I love the Bible Bee, because it provides a foundation of motivation by which we can become more connected with the Bible, and God, and in turn we can be equipped to impact the world, and live for Christ whatever the cost!

How the Bible Bee has Benefited Me in My Adult Life:
The Bible Bee has benefitted me in my adult life, by giving me a firm foundation to stand on. A source of confidence in Christ and my relationship with him, and a realization that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. I still enjoy studying the Bible for myself ( although not as full-time as when I was enrolled in the Bible Bee) and seeing God show Himself to me in new ways through it’s pages. I’m currently studying James, and being very convicted by the message of application of the Scripture. If we are truly Christians we cannot help but have “For His Glory” stamped upon our every word, and action, every thought, and motive. And if our actions aren’t worthy of that stamp of Christ, we must question our motives, and return unto the Rock from whence we have been hewn. So, for me, my adult years have been greatly benefited by the time I took in 2010-2012 to study the Bible indepthly, and memorize it. I’ve been able to use the Word I’ve learned to encourage countless people, and have found in it a source of strength that would not be possible without having the Word of God in my heart. There is a sense of hope and connection that is only found when we truly know the Word of God by heart. It creates a deeper realization of the words, and a desire to live them more completely. I wouldn’t trade the years I spent studying the Bible for anything. They have been the best years of my life so far, and I look back on them with gratefulness for all that God began in me during that season of studying with the Bible Bee. He is faithful to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we can ever ask or think, and we must realize that Christ alone deserves our first and our best of everything. For without Him, we could do NOTHING!!!!

My Favorite Verse and Why:
I have countless “favorite verses” but one that really stands out to me is actually a passage from Colossians 3:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

Why I Would Encourage Others to Get Involved:
I would like to start by sharing one of my favorite verses with you; Matthew 6:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you"

For many years I believed this verse with a very limited understanding of what it meant. Since I was raised in a good Christian home, read a Proverb every day, and I prayed when I needed help out of difficulties, I considered myself to be a petty good Christian girl, and I was certainly glad I didn't have the problems some people had. But, deep down inside I knew I was just as sinful as anyone else, and even though I did have good actions on the outside I knew my heart was desperately wicked. I knew I wasn't saved, I still tried to act good, so no one else would notice my faults.

Suddenly, and without warning, my world of hypocrisy and deception was revealed when in the summer of 2010 my Mom accidentally happened to find the National Bible Bee website. She was super excited about the whole idea of having us dig into the Word together as a family, so she signed us up for the program, and thus began what I would like to call the great change in my life. I remember that first Bible Bee meeting clearly, because I went to it thinking that since I had memorized Psalm 119 about 10 years before, I would probably be great at this Bible Bee thing, and I was sure it would be super easy. At the end of the meeting I went home in shock over the fact that I had to memorize 800 verses and keep them memorized in less than 10 weeks.

Within 2 weeks of starting the Bible Bee I couldn't take it anymore. Studying the Bible, and memorizing verses for most of the day, was too much for me to handle. My heart knew I was a fake, and the only way out of feeling guilty was for me to try to find a way to get out of the Bible Bee. So, I formulated 10 reasons why I didn't want to do the Bible Bee anymore. I decided to present my reasons to my Dad, and be done with the Bible Bee once and for all. However, much to my surprise, my Dad didn't agree with my desire to stop the Bible Bee, and instead, he asked me to think of 10 benefits to completing the Bible Bee. I took some time to think and pray about my Dad's request, and I was amazed at how quickly the reasons to continue the Bible Bee came, and far outweighed my greatest problems with it. I realized that God wanted me to continue in the Bible Bee, even if it was going to change me.

Over the course of 2010 God used the study of Colossians in the Bible Bee to show me myself in the light of His grace. Never before in my life had I realized the reality of my sin and the great debt I owed to such a magnificent God who created all things and by whom all things consist. Over the course of my time in the Bible Bee I grew closer to God than ever before, and learned what it means to completely surrender to Him. I recognized my inability to love God on my own, and I learned the true meaning of a relationship with Christ, and how sufficient He is to satisfy every longing of my heart. Since competing in the Bible Bee I have had my share of struggles, temptations, and challenges, and I have recognized my inability to live one moment without the strength of Christ. God has used the Bible Bee to bring me to a complete realization of Salvation. I have been equipped with His word, and a personal relationship with Him to face all the challenges and struggles that life may throw at me, and that has got to be the greatest ongoing endeavor of my entire life! " For with God all things are possible"