Many people read for entertainment. I do, too. As a writer, I think it’s important to read all kinds of books; fiction, non-fiction, various genres, young adult (just discovered Nova McBee’s series), children’s books, secular and Christian. I am venturing into another human life and hearing their “voice”. Every person on the planet is unique, a one-of-a-kind.
As a Christian writer, I also need to be discerning as I read. Newspapers, magazines, and books have great power to shape our minds. Do you want to swallow the ever-changing politically correct philosophies that bring confusion, no solution and heartache? I don’t. Hence, I read the Bible daily. God’s Word is true, and I need Truth as my foundation to discern half-truths and lies because so many things we read today are filled with both. Some lies are subtle and cunning, others are blatant. Some lies are said so often people begin to believe them. (Hitler and Goebbel used that means to convince a nation that all Jews should be exterminated. Sound familiar? Human history is filled with liars who brought devastation.)
The Bible is God breathed and teaches truth through the Holy Spirit. The Word of God can reprove, correct, and train me in righteousness so that I can be adequate and equipped to do the work God has called me to do. It’s about choice. Do I want to know the Truth? Yes! Am I willing to be rebuked and corrected? Yes, though it hurts. Do I want to follow God’s call on my life? Absolutely!
God’s Word is formational as well as transformational, meeting me where I am and showing me where I’m in error. It renews my mind. It’s filled with stories of real people, how they struggled through various trials, made horrendous mistakes, and receive forgiveness and restoration. I can identify with them. I can heed the warning. Scripture is filled with instruction on how to live a life pleasing to God. God’s Word lights my path. Whether I’m in thick fog (hard times) or out on a starry night (when everything seems to be going well.)
I like to read (and write) love stories. The Bible is the world’s greatest love story about how far God goes to reveal Himself and His love for us. How far He goes to rescue, save and restore us. His death, His resurrection, His preparation for a place for us to be in an eternal love relationship with Him. Opening your heart and mind to The Word (Jesus) brings us into fellowship with Him. He is always faithful and trust-worthy, and He has kept every promise. One remains: He said He’s coming back. I believe Him.
Reading the Bible reveals the beauty of the salvation story. No matter how many times I read it, I will never understand the full extent of God’s amazing love and grace. I see in part. One day I will see HIM.
Where else can I experience the power of God’s Word if I don’t read it? Where else can I go to find Truth? Truth isn’t an idea. It’s a person. It’s Jesus. Where else can I go to know Him better, to be close to Him when being a Christian places us in a battlefield?
Jesus promised If we seek Him, we will find Him. Jesus answers the longing of my heart. How about yours? Seek Him in the morning, talk with Him, remember His Words, and thank Him that He is transforming us into His likeness so that we might light the way for others who are starving and dying of thirst for Truth and Love. God is the only source of both.