Why I Read?
Why I Read?
I love good books; I read a lot! I’ll devour almost anything in the non-fiction section of the bookstore. Some people find it strange that four or five times a year I’ll pick a day, get on an airplane early in the morning, and fly from city to city all day. I ordinarily plan those trips on my day off and I spend the time studying, reading, and thinking. It has turned into one of my great joys and something that I really look forward to.
A few years ago I felt like God was asking me, “Why do you read?” A fairly foolish question in my opinion, but as I thought more about that question my mind flashed to so many encounters Jesus had and some of the utterly ridiculous questions He had asked.
Mark 10:46-51
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
I was reading my Bible (pat on the back) a few days later, and that same question hit me right between the eyes. I understood exactly why God was asking me that question.
I was studying for my next sermon, not for me.
My heart broke as I sat in my study. What had my spiritual life become? Had it changed from the passionate pursuit of my savior to the passionate pursuit of a better message? In that moment, I changed the way that I study. I don’t study looking for a sermon anymore. What has amazing me more than anything else is this: Not only do I feel closer to God than I ever have before, He has unlocked things in scripture for me personally and for our church that continue to blow my mind. So I’ll ask you the same question I felt God asking me:
Why do you read?
Chad
Very good story. That’s a trap we all fall in to. We study to impress our people at times rather than studying to know Jesus so well that our enthusiasm becomes contagious and those that do not know him will ask us what our hope is.
Win Alme - June 1, 2009 at 3:24 pm |
Chad, I think you hit the nail right on the head on this subject. you stated “unlocked things in scripture for me ” how true for all of us who pastor in churches all over America. Taking the personally of your church and allowing the reading to shape us to give back to the church. I also know that most pastor are learner and are willing to take a dive into “Why”. Thanks for giving a hard topic a simple answer. May God continue to work on all us in reading the scripture to fulfill God Glory.
Ronnie Gehring - June 2, 2009 at 12:04 am |
I read the bible and various Christian authors to get a new and fresh perspective on God. Sometime we/I get stale in either my relationship with Christ or how I may be minister to others. I’m always looking for something I haven’t thought of or something which may challenge me e.g. something to chew and mull over for a time. Also, I read because I desire to challenge my intellect but in no way should this overshadow my love of the simple message of Christ’s salvation for the Nations.
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Lesley Dennis - June 2, 2009 at 2:38 am |
Absolutely… It is absolutely about relationship. God is ever talking, it is up to us to do the listening. Whether through scripture, prayer or the writing of another, inspired by their relationship with God Almighty – He wants to share the mysteries of His heart. When we seek (earnestly, dilligently, desire) Him, we shall find (attain, aquire, meet or be present with) Him – He will share and uncover the many secrets or mysteries of His Word. Just like our spouses and loved ones share their hearts and secrets with us because of the relationship we have with them, it is the same with Christ – the more time we spend with Him, the more He reveals to us about Himself and the will (heart or desire) of the Father. I have recently been challenged to practice living in the prescence of God, making every day and everything about Him.
Shelly Robinette - June 3, 2009 at 12:39 pm |