Mental And Spiritual Renewal
Mental And Spiritual Renewal
How much do you read? And, what do you read when you make time to read?
I recently heard a speaker say that most Americans read less than one book a year. I asked a few of folks about this, and with a couple of exceptions, they confirmed the speaker’s statement.
We are told that even if you have a doctorate degree, rapid changes in almost every field makes education obsolete unless we continue to keep up with those changes. One way of doing this is through reading. Often, when we leave the discipline of school – our minds begin to atrophy. We don’t explore new subjects, we reduce the time we research important issues, and we avoid serious reading such as classics and redemptive literature.
Some time ago, I heard a quote and it’s one worth remembering: “The person who doesn’t read is no better off than the person who can’t read.”
Reading sweeps the cobwebs away and refreshes the mind. A person who reads is more interesting to be around. Reading increases our power of concentration and keeps us abreast with new trends and opportunities.
Reading is mental and spiritual renewal.
Set a goal of reading one book a month – a book that has as its purpose making you a better person. You will be surprised at the effect it has on your life. It is one of the best investments of time a person can make. An idea worth pursuing if you are not currently feeding your brain: Each day substitute 30 minutes of television for 30 minutes of reading.
Of course, you would expect me to recommend the Bible as one of the greatest resources of reading – and, it is. I find that reading the Bible helps develop and nourish my core values. Each time I read Scriptures I feel renewed, focused on life’s purpose, recommitted to serve and spiritually strengthened.
“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” Proverbs 4:5-8 NIV
Larry Yarborough is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee in Nashville. He can be reached at lyarborough@ymcamidtn.org and on his profile page here.
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