iRead

I read a lot. Not as much as I would like to, but I fit in some reading time when I get a chance. I like books so much because...

...they take me to other worlds. As Marty said in the movie adaptation of Love Comes Softly, "Once you can read you can have any adventure you've ever dreamed of." It's true.

...they teach me about history. Read a few books like Uncle Tom's Cabin, Across Five Aprils, or Night and you will be captivated by events that we all too often forget.

...they give me perspective. I love the movie Ratatouille, especially the part where the mean critic orders some "perspective." That is one thing about books that I so adore. They give me a little piece of perspective. Right now I'm reading The Call of the Wild, and I have never been more amazed by a dog's life. Buck and I have already endured a brutal fight and now are weary from long, hard days on the snowy trails. Perhaps it sounds silly, but I feel as though I've been to the Klondike, I've walked upon the mushy snow and looked across the icy river.

If you haven't yet experienced the beauty of imagination, I plead with you to pick up any book and start practicing. For some may think that books are stupid fairy tales meant for children (though it could be argued that I still am one), but in reality books can fulfill our imaginations most wildest dreams. What great book have you read lately?

I think God knew that we humans would have a love affair with books. (Obviously He did, because He created us!) But don't you think it is pretty amazing that He gave us a Book? He gave us a Book that He inspired (see 2 Timothy 3:16), a Book that speaks of how great He is. My favorite thing about the Bible is that it includes a lot of genres and styles of writing. You have historical tales, adventure stories, what seem like fantasy chapters, romance novels, and genealogical records all rolled into one. From the gallant tale of Abraham leading his son to be sacrificed to the romantic story of Ruth and Boaz, from the gripping story of Paul's persecution to the harrowing display of Jesus' crucifixion to the awesome narration of Jesus' rise, the Bible is so packed with stories that it is sometimes difficult to read through them all. I must admit that I have not read them all. I have not yet discovered all of the little details. I have not yet glimpsed every adventure. But just writing about the ones that I have read makes me want to read the new ones even more!

I find it so interesting that there are people who have devoted their whole life to Christ, yet they have not read all of His Word. I am not condemning here, because as I said, I have not read the entire Bible either. But, the question I so often ponder is this: What is holding me (or you) back? Why have I not read every page of my Bible? It is something to think about. Is it because I'm too busy? Is it because I just don't care?

I have tried in the past to read through the entire Bible in a year, and I failed miserably. Thankfully I am reminded that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). So I'm trying again this year. I've found a plan through SUSIE Magazine (see sidebar for link). It isn't important to read the Bible in one year. It isn't important to stick to a regimen. The important thing is to open yourself up to what God has to say. What can the Bible teach you about Him? What can you hear from Him as you read the Bible? Think about how many years the Bible has been around. Think about how it has been transported over many years and many generations. It has ended up in your lap. How amazing is that? This Book that God inspired! You have this Book. You can read for yourself all the things that God has done over the years. The Bible is powerful.

You might not have a lot of time right now, but if you can, go get your Bible. Feel the cover of it and cherish it as you open it to the first part, Genesis Chapter One. Read the first verse. "In the beginning..." The beginning is a very good place to start.

(Originally posted Saturday, January 16, 2010 at transformedgeneration.blogspot.com.)