Let’s start with a confession: I don’t know everything. I know, I’ve got that “he must read a lot of books” vibe going on, but in reality, the vast majority of the books on my shelf haven’t been read yet! Let me keep unpacking my ignorance. There are lots of things I don’t know, don’t understand, have never considered, or even thought about starting to think about. While we’re at it, let’s just be honest: this is true for you too (ok, maybe not the book shelf part). I hope there are lots of things you know that I don’t, and I suspect there are a few I might know that you haven’t learned yet.
We all have a lot to learn, explore, understand, and grow deeper through. This journey of growing is part of loving our God with all of our minds. As we learn more about Him and the world He made, we get to learn more of who He’s inviting us to be. Growing like this is a process of both learning and doing, which work together to shape us to be more like Christ.
Reading is an incredible way to enter new worlds, new experiences, new perspectives, and new ideas. As we encounter all this “new,” we sift and discern what we need to put into practice. Again, we don’t know what we don’t know until someone helps us know.
So, all this being said, here’s the goal – find something you want to learn (WANT, more than just should), and set a reasonable goal for yourself. Find a book and start with two pages a day until it’s done. One suggestion would be Disciplines of a Godly Man/Woman. Can you make time for that? Even in the most hectic schedule, perhaps there is an opportunity over a lunch break, first thing in the morning, or right before bed. Two pages too easy? Try a chapter a week, or see how many pages you need to read to finish it in a month.
And here’s the secret to reading and learning like this – start and don’t stop. Or if you stop, start again – master the restart. As you read, find things that make you think, things you disagree with, things you want to share with a friend, spouse, connection group, or co-worker. Find things to put into action or a new habit to start – just a step at a time. Step by step every day, thirty steps later or three hundred and sixty five steps later, if you learn and act you will find yourself a more mature and well-rounded person, not just well-read.
Before you know it you and I will know a little bit more, hopefully be living more awake to the world God has made, and the people He is making us to be.
Happy reading.