Another week has rolled away into history.
This week, I did not do much reading.
Every one who makes an effort to read books experiences this. For some, they have many activities in their schedule that crowd out the time they have allotted for books. For others, it may be that the activities they have been involved in tired them out. And for some others there may just be no desire to pick up a book to read.
The difference between the habitual and non-habitual reader is this. The habitual reader understands that this is just a passing phase. Here is where having a commitment to follow a reading schedule pays off. By a reading schedule, I mean, a commitment to read a certain number of chapters a day, or to read for a some set time, (fifteen, thirty minutes, sometimes one hour). As their hectic schedule eases off, they return to their commitment.
The non-habitual reader, on the other hand, reads, when they have time, or when they feel like it. Once the pressure of a hectic schedule or a calendar full of activities hits them, their reading plan goes into a spin. Recovering from that spin is an uphill task, because there is no prior commitment or plan for the recovery phase. Frequently, it's at this point that the non-habitual reader gives up on reading.
A new week is dawning. I'll be on a road trip for most of tomorrow, Sunday. I plan to catch up on my reading of Dr. John Townsend's "How to Be A Best Friend Forever" while on that trip. Already,from the book, I have learned that to deepen the attachment of the relationships I have with my friends, it's important to act in ways that foster trust and openness to each other.
The decision to let you, my friends know how I am doing has been a great help. Choosing to be accountable to you, makes me to keep my decision to read this book in focus. That's another important factor that habitual readers understand.
I invite you to join me in this journey of learning from books. Tell me, what book are you currently reading? And what was your experience with that exercise this past week?
I took a break just like you too to read for the whole week, Isaiah 12, a 6 verse passage of the Old Testament. That may sound a bit "hardline" reading just 6 verses for the whole week but to get "the meat out of the bone" for expository teaching, I do devote good time to read first and then teach.
ReplyDeleteNow, what's in Isaiah 12? Its an OT book detailing the "salvation of God" and how we should praise Him for saving us. You just can't read Isaiah 12 without some good songs and dancing shoes. Its an electricfying passage!
Be very rest assured that I follow your blog but I just don't have the time yet to update mine. Not yet!
Every God's blessing!
Akin Olawale
Akin, thanks for sharing your reading experience. Hmmmnnn! Reading is interaction with the author. and his words, just as though he is sitting with you as you read...*smiling* "You just can't read Isaiah 12 without some good songs and dancing shoes."
DeleteI am reading three books at the same time. A 'bad' habit I promised to stop this year....Still my main focus is on Derek Prince's Living as Salt and Light. I am just in awe of how God led me to this book that I had never even heard about cos I know it is because He could see all that was going round and round in my head about things in Nigeria.....I am also reading the Love Dare and Joel Osteen's Breaking Out....But like I said Derek's voice is the one playing loudest in my head right now.....Today he shared with me how even our testimonies form part of our spiritual arsenal. Imagine? when you and I share with others the goodness of God, it forms part of our fight against the enemy....I just love that.
ReplyDeleteSalt, its amazing, isn't it? How we pick up books to read, which we didn't know about, and when we start reading it, we discover that it's just the book we need to read. You've highlighted again, that reading is interaction with the author and his words, just as though he is sitting with you.
DeleteHello ma, keep up the good work and keep challenging me. I like the differentiation btw habitual and non-habitual reader. Certainly makes me feel better as it means I am not doing badly......
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, on the last book i read? I have never regretted a book as much as the ungodly '50 shades of grey' - found it on my kindle and heard so much about it earlier. I wish i had read the book review before opening a page. It started not so bad, but was a shame thereafter. One lesson for me, is to check the book reviews on line before opening a book. I agree with every negative review on the web.......hope your followers will read this and be warned!
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