Read for your soul

On more than one occasion, John Grisham, one of our nation's most successful and popular writers, has introduced himself as an "author in a nation that does not read." The absence of reading is a tremendous threat not only to the success of our nation but to the nourishment of our souls. The days that seem to stretch into weeks, the days in which we wonder if the sun will ever appear again, those are the days to read.

Paul, a missionary for first-century Christianity, apparently at the end of his life composed a letter in prison to his spiritual son Timothy. In this second letter to Timothy there are words of encouragement, words of challenge and words of praise. There is also a request for what Paul believes to be a last visit from Timothy asking, "When you come ... bring the books and above all the parchments." (2 Timothy 4:13)

A man well-seasoned by life and faith, residing in prison awaiting his execution, requests that Timothy bring him his books. In the days when many daily newspapers are on life support and book sales are up while readership is down why should thinking people of faith be concerned about reading?

Reading nourishes your soul. Reading draws us into isolated times when we authentically expose who we are and who it is that God has created us to be. Soul reading encourages faith during days of discouragement. Soul reading inspires faith with its reminders that with God nothing is impossible.

Reading sharpens your skills. No matter your calling of business, medicine, mechanics or carpentry reading sharpens your developing skills. It refines the abilities you have already acquired and it stretches you into areas that you do not know yet you need to grow.

Reading is enjoyable. Perhaps one of the reasons that many adults do not read is because as children they had to suffer through great works of literature and were not encouraged to read for enjoyment. Picking up a book on the beach in the dead of winter is enjoyable.

Begin reading with the scriptures themselves. It has not been that long, historically speaking, that a copy of the Bible has been accessible to everyday men and women, let alone in hotels across our nation. Take up and read; you will be amazed at what the Scriptures hold.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.