Pick Up a Book and Read

A daunting number of interests are competing for your time and attention, likely even at this moment. Think of a job, chores, friends, hobbies, games and additional activities too numerous to list. Now think of the recent past. Have you delved into a book lately, or have your reading experiences been limited to the side panels of cereal boxes and road signs?

Regularly reading a book will not only edify and instruct, it will broaden your understanding of the world in which we live, refine your speech, and expand your vocabulary—qualities that are all important to God.

Advantages of Reading

As Christians, God commands us to apply ourselves with all our might to whatever we do (Ecc. 9:10). With this in mind, strive to read books from a variety of authors and styles in order to lay a solid foundation of understanding from which you will gain treasured benefits. This foundation will be used—consciously or not—by your mind as a means of comparison with your life experiences, allowing you to better understand and characterize those experiences. You will, in effect, broaden your horizons, become more empathetic and better able to understand your life in the world.

The language you use affects the manner in which you present yourself to others—and, in turn, affects how you are viewed by others (Matt. 5:14, 16). Language is extremely important to God—so much so that He has refined His Word seven times (Psa. 12:6).

Simply stated, reading books vastly improves your vocabulary and mastery of language—an obvious benefit to you and those around you.

Our vocabulary is the colorful palette (the range of colors used by an artist) of words we use to paint mental pictures when communicating with others. With a large vocabulary, we can choose words that are muted or saturated, bright or dark, colorful or plain. A wide spectrum of “colors”—the range of your vocabulary—offers your listener a refined and precise picture. This, too, is important, as we are instructed to communicate in a way that “may minister [serve] grace unto the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).

Reading Is Not Drudgery

If you are not naturally inclined to read for pleasure, try to approach the concept of reading a book as a listening experience, rather than a reading experience that requires deliberate concentration. “Listening” to a book is simply allowing the words you read to echo through your mind as if you were articulating or speaking them aloud. (This is not referring to audio books, which can also have their place.)

When used properly, this listening technique allows the reader to “hear” the author’s intent, often making the written word more believable, more real and better understood. The reader becomes relaxed, involved in the story, and his concentration is enhanced as a result.

Try it. Take the time to pause for a comma, stop at a period, feel the enthusiasm of an exclamation point. Allow the rhythm and cadence to flow while sounding out each word in your mind as if speaking. Do not “speed read” in a vain attempt to absorb more information; become immersed in the material and allow the author to express himself.

You will find that not only do you enjoy reading more when using this technique, but you will frequently discern the author’s subtle intent—an important consideration when enjoying a good book.

Reading Is a Choice

Watching television requires less effort than reading, which likely explains (at least to a degree) why television is so popular. Additionally, in the world of television the viewer is spoon-fed subject matter that is rarely edifying. Today’s programming is optimized for ratings and advertising revenue, not for quality of content. This is also a problem with certain books—especially the romance and action novels commonly referred to as “dime store paperbacks.” However, with very little effort, worthwhile books can be found.

Think of all the classic books available at your local library and even on the Internet. Some examples include works written by authors such as Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare and John Steinbeck, just to name a few. There are hundreds of authors who have written literary classics. One list of such authors can be found on the Internet at www.classicauthors.net. (Keep in mind that most books have been written by men who were not called by God, and the material could reflect this. Some books, even classics, should not be read for obvious reasons.)

Immersing your mind into the written word yields benefits that cannot be produced by any other means. Compared to popular alternatives such as watching television, chatting on the telephone, or playing video games, reading is one of the few activities that entertains and edifies at once. Like many new activities, the more you engage in reading, the more enjoyable it becomes.

Whole new worlds can open up to your imagination. Exciting lands and characters are waiting to be explored. What are you waiting for? Go visit your local library—a vast array of stories, characters, biographies and adventures await!