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May 14, 2008
In Pastor's Words
"We Are What We Read!"
Anonymous
Physically speaking, “we are what we eat,” insist some. But to a greater degree, our character and world view may well be shaped by what we read and study. Our graduates, from both high school and institutions of higher learning, have been required to read volumes of assigned books, periodicals and other reading matter which are designed to help them launch their lives in a direction that will eventually bring them a measure of enjoyment, expertise in gainful employment and fulfillment in life. Up till now reading has been required. After graduation the temptation may be to allow reading time to slip for a variety of reasons. In fact this is exactly what happens to a majority of Americans when they leave high school. Statistics show that 1) 58% of Americans have never finished reading a book, 2) 80% of the books sold are read by only 12% of the population, and 3) only 1% of Christians ever visit a Christian bookstore!
A book entitled The Royal Path of Life, written in the 19th century, contained a chapter defining four kinds of readers. The first type is like the hour glass, with reading being like sand running in and out and leaving no lasting impression behind. The second type is like a sponge which imbibes everything and returns it in the same state, only a little dirtier. The third type is like a sieve, allowing all of the good and pure information to pass through, collecting only the dregs and refuse that remains. And, finally, the fourth is like the miner in a diamond mine, casting aside all that is worthless to obtain the pure gem. Some years ago, George and Alec Gallup set out to discover what makes some people more successful than others. Using the polling techniques that have made them famous, they wrote a book entitled, The Great American Success Story. Their findings showed that successful people read and that reading was essential because it “makes a person ready to converse. It seems to be a key to finding contentment. These people have a broad knowledge and feel they can shift over to another field or chain of thought . . . I think reading would be a very big boost to self-esteem because then you have more information with which to make evaluations and decisions.” Warren Wiersbe, one time pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, stated, “if you spent thirty minutes a day studying any subject . . . within ten years you’d have the equivalent of a Ph.D. in that subject.”
While secular reading in the disciplines can certainly feed our learning, confidence, direction and bring a degree of satisfaction in life, of greater importance is that reading which will feed the soul. Ruth Bell Graham encouraged, “Read, read, Read! Use the Bible as home base, but vary your diet.” In 2 Timothy 4:13, the Apostle Paul who had been to heaven and back, had written half the New Testament, and had seen the Lord, instructed Timothy , “when you come, bring . . . my scrolls, especially the parchments.” And, so our encouragement to all of you who are graduating, let not your reading skills slip. Yes, spend time reading in your area of interest, but spend time with God each day in His Word. By doing so, the Psalmist testified, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11) and “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). If we are what we read, let’s pursue reading that encourages, guides, teaches and builds character for a life of joyful obedience and service to God.
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at May 14, 2008 10:10 AM