The Good News: Weekly Devotion March 21, 2024
We just finished C.S. Lewis’ classic Mere Christianity in our Monday/Wednesday Pastor’s Class. While the 7-week course was difficult at times, an intrepid group of participants made it to the finish line. I believe we all learned a lot about the basics of the Christian faith told in a new way. The book also reminded us of the hope and future we have as we continue grow into Christian disciples.
Christians are known as “people of the book”. What have you read lately? Have you read some Bible stories? The sacred stories of scripture reveal God’s intent for our lives and what we can be when we trust him. The more we read the Bible and other spiritually based books, the more we grow. Motivational speaker and Christian author, Charlie Tremendous Jones, once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” People are easy enough to meet, but books are an entirely different story, so to speak.
It is hard to find time…and the effort…and the motivation…and the energy to sit and read. The discipline doesn’t come easy. I can read a Dean Koontz or Ken Follet novel at the beach in a week, but a non-fiction book turns into a paper weight on my desk. Reading not an easy discipline to do alone. Fortunately, we have several groups in the church who pick up book and discuss it. It’s so much easier to read with a group of friends holding you accountable and sharing good company. Sunday school classes do something similar occasionally.
If you’re feeling a little stagnant in your spiritual growth, then read something new. Read the Gospels or read one of Paul’s or other writers letters to the church in the New Testament. Read something from Cokesbury bookstore, our United Methodist bookstore. There is so much available in our world to help us grow into more Christ-like disciples. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Peace,
Zack@madisonfumc.com
How do you feel when you read the last page in a book? A sense of satisfaction? A huge relief? A desire to jump into another story. You’ve spent days (or weeks) pouring over an author’s work and now you’ve completed it. The book goes on the shelf and you can speak knowledgeably about so and so’s ideas as contained in that book.
