READING FOR LOVE

I LOVE TO READ. Books, magazines, newspapers, commentaries and yes, even the Bible. My favorite reading is the true stories of adventurers. The stories of men and women, young and old, who have climbed tall mountains or crossed the open ocean in a small boat, or have ridden their bicycle around the world.

     I love to read the stories of people attempting feats at faraway places that I will never attempt or most likely visit. The truth be known, I am very much a homebody, so even though I’m enthralled by the accounts of these adventure seekers, I would most likely rather read than do.

     I once heard (or maybe I read) that “leaders are readers and readers are leaders.” If we desire to grow in this life and to have a positive effect on the lives of others, then reading is a must. And what we read is just as important as how much we read. Wasting my time reading the latest celebrity gossip rag is most likely not going to increase my leadership quotient. As in all endeavors in life, reading wisely is tantamount to reading well.

     I am excited with the read-through-the-Bible program in which we have invited the church to participate. I don’t know how many are following the daily reading, but I do know lots of the reading schedules were picked-up that first day, and I am praying that everyone who has joined the journey is discovering the blessing that comes from reading God’s Word. As we move forward as a church family in reading through the Scriptures, allow me to offer two thoughts: First, if you get behind don’t worry about it. This is not a race, but a journey, and sometimes on a journey we get sidetracked. Just pick it up and start where you left off.

     Second, let’s covenant to read for love. Reading the Scriptures is not meant to be an academic endeavor, it is meant to be an opportunity to listen to the heartbeat of the God who created you and loves you. I read this past week that the Bible is a “thin place through which the presence of God breaks into this world and bursts with unpredictable consequences into our lives.”  (The Fire of the Word, pp. 30-31.) This is my prayer for you as you read through the Scriptures this year: God will break through and you’ll know Him with a deeper love.

Related articles

• The FIRE of the WORD (ponderingpastor.blogspot.com)
• Fear Not! (ourdailybread101.wordpress.com)
• Reading the Scriptures - Do We Know How To Study? (godspace.wordpress.com)