If You Want To Change Your Life, Become a Reader
One of my priorities as pastor is to lead my congregation to become readers of great books. New data from Pew Research shows that more than 25% of Americans did not read a single book this year. That number goes up for men; one third of men haven't read a single book this year.
So what? Why is reading so important? Over the years as I've studied the lives of very successful people -- people alive today and throughout history -- one of the common denominators is that they are readers. They are always reading a book. It's like John Maxwell says: "Leaders are readers." Pastor and leader Bill Hybels says, "When a leader stops learning, they should stop leading," and "Leaders should be insatiable, incurable learners." Hybels has said that he is always reading a new book, and he takes a book with him wherever he goes so that if he has a few spare minutes, he can read. That's the way I am. I almost never leave the house without a book and a highlighter.
Dr. Ben Carson is an award-winning brain surgeon and presidential candidate in the past two elections, yet he grew up in the hood with an illiterate single mother. How did he go from the slums to success? Although his mother was illiterate, she was wise. When Ben was a kid he did poorly in school, so his mother decided to turn off the TV and only allowed them to watch 2 or 3 programs a week. Then she required her children to read 2 books a week from the library and turn in a written book report. She put check marks and highlights all over the paper (they didn't know she couldn't read). At first they hated it; but eventually they grew to love it. It was through this experience that Dr. Carson discovered that he was responsible for his life. He said that he hated poverty until he discovered through reading that the person who has the most to do with you is you! In other words, the books he read taught him that through hard work and wise choices he could lift himself out of poverty and achieve anything. And it all started with reading.
Author Andy Andrews has some powerful words about the importance of reading. In his book The Seven Decisions he writes, "What do you call a child who only reads two books a year? Slow. What do you call an adult who only reads two books a year? Normal." He goes on to write that you are where you are in life because of your best thinking, and if you want to grow and improve and change your life, then you must grow, and improve, and change your thinking. That happens through reading. He writes, "One idea has the power to transform your life forever, but you must first recognize it." The ideas and the information to improve your life are out there, but you probably won't find them in magazines, social media, or on TV. You will find them in books!
My reading program is simple. Six days a week I set aside 40 minutes for reading and reflection. Every other day I spend the time reading; and every other day I spend the time reflecting on what I've read. As well, six days a week I read the Bible, the most important book of all. I either read through the entire Bible every year (about 15 minutes a day), or I read through the entire Bible in two years.
The new year is almost here. Don't stay where you are. Grow! And that means become a reader. Click HERE to find a series of Reading Lists of the very best books that I've come across. And go HERE for a list of Bible Reading Plans.
So what? Why is reading so important? Over the years as I've studied the lives of very successful people -- people alive today and throughout history -- one of the common denominators is that they are readers. They are always reading a book. It's like John Maxwell says: "Leaders are readers." Pastor and leader Bill Hybels says, "When a leader stops learning, they should stop leading," and "Leaders should be insatiable, incurable learners." Hybels has said that he is always reading a new book, and he takes a book with him wherever he goes so that if he has a few spare minutes, he can read. That's the way I am. I almost never leave the house without a book and a highlighter.
Dr. Ben Carson is an award-winning brain surgeon and presidential candidate in the past two elections, yet he grew up in the hood with an illiterate single mother. How did he go from the slums to success? Although his mother was illiterate, she was wise. When Ben was a kid he did poorly in school, so his mother decided to turn off the TV and only allowed them to watch 2 or 3 programs a week. Then she required her children to read 2 books a week from the library and turn in a written book report. She put check marks and highlights all over the paper (they didn't know she couldn't read). At first they hated it; but eventually they grew to love it. It was through this experience that Dr. Carson discovered that he was responsible for his life. He said that he hated poverty until he discovered through reading that the person who has the most to do with you is you! In other words, the books he read taught him that through hard work and wise choices he could lift himself out of poverty and achieve anything. And it all started with reading.
Author Andy Andrews has some powerful words about the importance of reading. In his book The Seven Decisions he writes, "What do you call a child who only reads two books a year? Slow. What do you call an adult who only reads two books a year? Normal." He goes on to write that you are where you are in life because of your best thinking, and if you want to grow and improve and change your life, then you must grow, and improve, and change your thinking. That happens through reading. He writes, "One idea has the power to transform your life forever, but you must first recognize it." The ideas and the information to improve your life are out there, but you probably won't find them in magazines, social media, or on TV. You will find them in books!
My reading program is simple. Six days a week I set aside 40 minutes for reading and reflection. Every other day I spend the time reading; and every other day I spend the time reflecting on what I've read. As well, six days a week I read the Bible, the most important book of all. I either read through the entire Bible every year (about 15 minutes a day), or I read through the entire Bible in two years.
The new year is almost here. Don't stay where you are. Grow! And that means become a reader. Click HERE to find a series of Reading Lists of the very best books that I've come across. And go HERE for a list of Bible Reading Plans.
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