People of the Book…Need to READ It

I came across this over the weekend:

Reading By Age Group

Well, that was discouraging. I see it too much and I don’t think it’s simply a ‘young person’s’ problem. I know too many people who read very little, whether it’s newspapers, magazines or books of any genre. 19 minutes a day. I guess I should be glad that the several hours I spend on average helps keep it that high. (Sigh!)

Obviously, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wasn’t interested, in the break down of various types of literature (at least, not in this published version). So, while it may present how much time various age groups spend in ‘fun’ reading (no, Twitter, SnapChat, Facebook and texts DO NOT count), it does not give any indication of how much time we/they spend in serious reading.

As a Christian, I’m to be a person of the Book. I’m to read God’s Word. One of the closing statements in this article is: ‘Reading is supposed to help your memory, empathy and stress levels, among other things.’ How much more true is this of the very words from God, the Creator Himself? While some benefit might be gained from reading ‘The Game of Thrones’ (I might be able to argue that the benefits of reading such novels is only about SaranWrap® deep), think of the ways reading the Word of God–surface reading, devotional reading, habitual reading, deep-study-hard-thinking-make-your-head-hurt reading–can help. You will be:

• blessed
• steadfast
• unashamed
• full of joy
• pure
• blameless
• delighted
• full of discovery
• on a journey
• guilt-free
• strengthened
• encouraged
• enlightened
• well-educated
• wise

And that’s only a few of the benefits, from just one chapter of the Bible (Psalm 119).

I know how I am when I neglect the reading of God’s Word. I also know that one need only look at the deplorable condition of the church in America today, examine (even on a cursory level) the minimal time we give to reading the Bible (let alone, good Christian books, novels or otherwise) and you’ll know why judgment begins with the household of God. It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, people.

Read the Word!