Reading
The disciplined, Spirit-attuned reader is never alone—and never the same.
I don’t remember learning to love reading—I only remember loving it. As a boy, books were portals. They widened my world and whispered of more. Later, they became guides—mentors I never met, companions through solitude and questions.
Reading has not only informed me; it has formed me. And while Scripture remains the center, I have found that what is sacred echoes in everything from poetry to theology, biography to fiction. To read slowly, reflectively, and prayerfully is not mere hobby. It is holy.
Reading as Formation
I don’t read just to gather facts. I read to be shaped. To gain wisdom. To stretch empathy. To be reminded of beauty.
Jesus Himself, when tempted in the wilderness, quoted from the scrolls. “It is written,” He said. His mind was saturated in the Word.
Paul, imprisoned and aged, requested “the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). Even the desert fathers carried books into caves.
Reading well is a spiritual practice. It’s an act of stewardship—of the mind, the heart, and time.
Choosing What to Read
In a world flooded with content, we must be discerning.
Some books inspire. Others inform. A few transform. I’ve learned to choose slowly and finish less compulsively. Not every book is for every season. But every season invites fresh discovery.
A few rules I try to follow:
Read broadly, but anchor deeply.
Reread the best books.
Read voices unlike your own.
Read Scripture most.
Let what you read push you to prayer, not just opinion.
I have learned much from authors I do not fully agree with—because God often uses unlikely voices to shape humble hearts.
Reading with Jesus
I sometimes picture Jesus sitting beside me as I read. It’s not just my imagination—it’s invitation. Jesus helps me discern. He helps me enter in. He keeps me centered.
I ask:
What are You showing me?
Where is this stirring joy—or resistance?
How might this help me love better, lead wiser, see clearer?
Reading with Jesus keeps me from pride. It also keeps me from fear. I need not be suspicious of every idea—but I must be surrendered to the Spirit as I learn.
Spiritual Practice: Sacred Reading Hour
Set aside one hour just to read. Choose something rich—Scripture or a formative book.
Before you begin, pray: “Lord, open my mind, stir my spirit, anchor me in truth.”
As you read, underline, jot notes, or pause to pray. Don’t rush. Let the text shape you.
End your hour by writing down one idea to carry into your week. One idea, made flesh.
Reflection Questions
What kind of reading most nourishes your soul?
When was the last time a book or passage shifted your thinking—or healed a wound?
How do you discern what is worth reading deeply?
What books or voices have God used to form you?
How can you read more slowly and spiritually in this season?
