We Have Something in Common

Dear reader, you and I have something in common, we both like to read. We belong to that ancient, but diminishing tribe, of book lovers. But take heart, we are in stellar company. The Apostle Paul writes to his young protégé, Pastor Timothy, and encourages him with this admonition, “Till I come, give attention to reading…” (1 Timothy 4:13)

John Wesley was like minded. He told his students, “Either read or get out of the ministry!”

The great Apostle, while in Rome awaiting his execution, wrote to Timothy and urged him to come to him in Rome quickly. He had a special request, “Bring the books…especially the parchments.” (12 Timothy 4:13) He simply could not bear to be without his beloved reading and writing materials. 

C.H. Spurgeon says of this, “Can you imagine, Paul has been to heaven and back. He wrote most of the New Testament. He has seen the Lord, yet he wants books.”

I must confess, before I was a believer I really didn’t read much of anything. But from the moment I came to know Christ, the Bible became my meat and drink. That led to biographies and autobiographies of the great men and women of God through the ages. How inspiring and challenging these volumes were to a young preacher. I know the medium of reading has vastly changed in this past few decades. Digital platforms have revolutionised the way we read. Even right now you are probably looking at this on your phone or tablet or computer. Digitisation allows us access to vast libraries of information at our fingertips. Yet, in spite of its convenience and superior access, I still prefer to have a book in my hand. 

Reading enlightens us, inspires us, educates us, entertains us and takes us places we could only ever hope to go. Styles of writing vary from author to author. Some will appeal to you more than others. Even Bible writers had very different styles. John was a simple fisherman. His vocabulary was small, compared to Paul, who was a highly educated Pharisee. Yet, John’s Gospel is profound in its own way. Very different from the other three Gospel writers. And Paul left us the Book of Romans, the greatest doctrinal treatise of the Christian Church. But, he also gave us the beautiful little personal letter to his dear friend Philemon. 

Perhaps I’m a hoarder, but I never throw a book away. I discovered a long time ago that a book you read today with little profit, may in ten years’ time become much more beneficial. Why? Because although it hasn’t changed, you have. You see it through different eyes. You’ve grown in knowledge. Your spiritual life has matured. You have faced some difficulties and won a few battles. What about that book you really enjoyed before? Why not give in a second read? You may see something this time you missed the first time. 

Someone asked Benjamin Franklin what sort of person he most pitied. Franklin replied, “A lonesome man on a rainy day who does not know how to read.” 

- Pastor David Goudy