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One of my great pleasures in life is reading, but guilt sneaks in whenever I sit down to imbibe in a gluttony of chapters.
"A waste of time," whispers the little voice in my head. "You must vacuum, dust, write something, or cook a meal … anything but read."
The truth is that reading is a necessity. Reading exercises our brains and reduces stress while increasing our personal knowledge and vocabulary. Memory is strengthened as we deal with plots and subplots and work to keep all the characters straight. We learn analytical thinking skills and improve our focus and concentration.
Of course, we have to ask what we are reading. Is it worthy of our time, or would we be better off vacuuming? Jesus often prodded His listeners to read by asking questions like this:
- Have you never read what David did that time when he and his men were hungry? (Matthew 12:3 GNT)
- Have you never read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sanctity of the Sabbath [breaking it] and yet are guiltless? (Matthew 12:5 AMPC)
- Have you never read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female? (Matthew 19:4 AMPC)
- Have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise"? (Matthew 21:16 NIV 2011)
- Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"? (Matthew 21:42a NIV 2011)
- But as to the resurrection of the dead — have you never read what was said to you by God? (Matthew 22:31 AMPC)
What would Jesus say to Christians today? Studies have shown that Christians are now woefully ignorant of the Scriptures. Consequently, they are being taken in by so many of the world's touted standards. Even Christian denominations seem to be adopting policies contrary to biblical standards. Would Jesus not be saying to us, "Have you never read in the Scriptures … ?"
So, enjoy your read with Jesus, and ignore the voice of guilt screaming, "This is a waste of time." Time with Jesus in the Scriptures is always well spent.
Prayer: Lord God, You always have time for us. We promise today to take time for You. Amen.
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Thank you for the reminder.
I love to read also. Thanks for this devotional.
Thanks for the needed and encouraging words, Brenda.
Well said! Amen to a renewal in knowledge of Scripture.
Amen Brenda!
Blessings.
Loved it!! “Taking time to read.”
Very good and very helpful. Thanks!
Yes! Brenda, let’s read on! Let’s give writers a reason to pick up the pen and write. Thanks for writing this devotional. Enough from me, for now. It’s time to write. Blessings.
Hello Brenda, Thanks for sharing that excellent devotional today.
I thought it was well thought out and I learned something from it.
Yes, reading is important – especially reading the word of God.
Hi Brenda
Love this!!!!!! So good and glad I am not alone in the voices!!! So true, the more we read the more informed we are, the reassurances we have.
God bless.
Hi Brenda:
Thanks for your lovely devotional. I am an avid reader as well. I found a phrase recently that I found personally very appropriate; “Read many good books but live in the Bible”.
God bless you Brenda.
Hi Brenda,
Many thanks for this morning’s devotional. The Bible is always an amazing read and gives us so much “food for thought”. Definitely a book we must give our time to.
Blessings to you for writing.
(B.C.)
Dear Brenda,
Keep reading about our Lord. The dust will wait, but Jesus’ waiting for us is most important. His Word is paramount. Didn’t he say, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40 KJV). Yes, we must vacuum in time too, but first things first.
Keep writing too.
Hi Brenda,
I enjoyed your devotional this morning and I want to repeat what you wrote:
“What would Jesus say to Christians today? Studies have shown that Christians are now woefully ignorant of the Scriptures. Consequently, they are being taken in by so many of the world’s touted standards. Even Christian denominations seem to be adopting policies contrary to biblical standards. Would Jesus not be saying to us, “Have you never read in the Scriptures?”
Someone was telling me one day that he was sure that his Minister did not know the Bible very well, and that is why things are going like you mentioned in the paragraph I quoted, I agree with you.
Thank you for writing.
Blessings.
Hello Brenda. This is a lovely devotional. Thank-you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I am an avid book reader – and I never feel it is a waste of time to sit down with a good novel. A book can give great comfort and relaxation.
Many blessings on your day today friend. Keep writing!