Reading Is Fundamental
Growing up in a small town in Central Illinois we were blessed to enjoy the presence of a Carnegie Library. At one time the town of DeLand was the smallest community in the country that was awarded such a prize. A bonus for me was that the library was across the alley from my grandma’s house, making it easy for me to visit it often. Miss Grace Paugh and Miss Zelda Marvel were the librarians who helped form my love for reading during my elementary years. They were always offering great suggestions on what I should read next, stretching me to move from beginner to more advanced books. A love for mysteries was developed through the Hardy Boys series. History and biographies came along from their recommendations of a set of biographies designed for elementary students. Books on sports, adventures and many other topics were hungrily consumed by an eager young mind. Through junior high and high school I spent a lot of time in the libraries at school feasting on current bestsellers. Into adulthood my love for reading has been a favorite pastime, filling in many hours with enjoyment as I relive historical events, am challenged by the latest who done it or cheering for the heroes as they battle unbeatable odds on their way to victory. In the past five years I have undertaken a goal of reading at least ten classic books each year and have put more than 120 on my want to read list. To borrow from a national reading group, truly for me reading is fundamental.
In my walk of faith I have found the same to be true. I’ve always enjoyed reading the Bible, whether as a child being enthralled with the account David fighting Goliath or as a grown man being encouraged by this same David as I read about his mighty men who regularly risked their lives in dedication to their commander. I have read through the Bible in its entirety more than 25 times and am currently doing so for the 14th consecutive year. There are a multitude of structured plans to help you read through the Bible in a year. There are several quality versions that have been meticulously translated from original Hebrew and Greek texts. There are apps that allow you to keep all of this with you on your phone or other mobile device so you are never without opportunity to spend a few minutes in God’s word. And these tools can help us in spending time in the word of God. And why is that important? Because the Bible is only source we have that has been given by God to help us understand his love for us and the lengths he has gone to restore not only mankind as a whole, but me as an individual, to him. After all, if we want to learn of God and his plan for our lives, reading is fundamental.
Phil Miller