A Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures

Public libraries all over the country have just concluded their summer reading programs for school age children. When I was a young reader I would eagerly devour as many pages as possible to earn the pizza prizes our local branch would award. Every few weeks my mom would drive me there to stock up on Nancy Drew mysteries, E.B. White classics, and Madeleine L'Engle fantasies. I would end up reading about half the books, abandoning the rest to pursue other summer pleasures. Now each summer my son looks forward to participating in our local reading program, and I have the pleasure of encouraging him.

As a child I took reading opportunities for granted. As an adult, I must confess to yearning for long, uninterrupted periods to indulge in reading. How I wish that I had weeks looming ahead of me in which to fill my mind with stories and adventures both real and imagined! It’s sad that, in our busy, technological world filled with television, internet, and video games, books have become something of a luxury to many people. In a frenzied world that has the attention span of a half hour sitcom or that can fast forward to the end if the movie is too long, it is increasingly difficult to keep our minds on a book until the last page.

Reading is not restricted to theologians or college professors. Reading should be a habit for every Christian. In his book The Dynamics of Spiritual Formation, pastor/teacher Mel Lawrenz emphasizes reading for spiritual development. "Christianity is a religion of the Book. Jesus is the Word behind the words." In Genesis 1 God spoke the universe into existence. Is it any wonder that we, His creation, should have such an interest in words on a page? All books have their source within that one volume. Yet we often take books for granted. In the past the few books that existed were only for the wealthy. Did you know that the poet John Milton had read every book that was in print in his day? Try doing that today. Impossible! It is unthinkable to even attempt to read all the books in Barnes and Noble let alone in the public library. We have access to more reading material than ever before in history, yet we fail to appreciate the blessing of the printed word.

For the Christian, reading should be a formative discipline. It should affect who we are and how we think. Books should act as an aid in our spiritual development as they draw us toward God’s word. Martin Luther, a man who devoted his life to books, has a lot to say about reading: "It is not many books or much reading that makes men learned; but it is the good things, however little of them, often read, that make men learned in the Scriptures and make them godly, too." He also admonishes, "Watch, study, give attendance to reading! Verily, you cannot read too well; and what you read well you cannot understand too well." To modify the old saying, "You are what you read." This is why it is so important to read with discernment and to understand what you are reading.

I love the t-shirt that boldly proclaims "So many books, so little time." These days, life’s responsibilities leave little time for curling up with a good book. Lawrenz writes, "There is only so much time we have to read, so it is important to be selective. We should read what has stood the test of time; we should read new books that come recommended by reliable people; and we should read what will stretch us." Don’t just read books that entertain you. Challenge yourself. Read something that is going to make you think. If a certain book interests you, ask people who may have read the book to share their thoughts on it with you. When you read a book that excites you, recommend it to a friend or family member.

In my own reading, I try to follow a word of advice from C. S. Lewis, a man who was a voracious reader himself. He emphasized the reading of classic books that have stood the test of time. Yet he also understood the importance of reading new books. He recommends that, "After reading a new book, never allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between." If that is too much, he suggests at least one old book to every three new ones. And never be afraid to reread an old favorite. Books that stand the test of time are the ones that will be forever new. The Bible is a great example of that. No matter how many times you read it, you will always discover something you didn't see before.

You don't have to wait for the next rainy day to enjoy a good book. Warm sunny afternoons work just as well. Turn off the phone, shut down the computer, and grab that book you bought ages ago and has been sitting on the TBR pile. It just so happens that it's a dreary, rainy day here in my part of the world...think I'll take my own advice today.