Last Sunday we heard from Ted Sinn, the driving force behind the CBR Journal, about the value and the importance of reading scripture. This was as part of our current preaching series - ‘Follow Me’ which looks at how we live our lives as disciples of Jesus.
Our resident poet, Steve Page, wrote a poem back in 2018 which focuses on the same subject…
And when you read
Don't rush -
Theres no need to read
with undue speed.
And when you read
Start with a suckle -
Work up to a nibble -
Until you can gnaw without a dribble.
I encourage you
Get down to the marrow
Like there's no tomorrow.
Savour each word
As food for your soul
And live as a model
As to how to live whole.
And when you read
Apply your mind daily,
Apply each word liberally
(especially to those out of the way
hard to reach places).
And when you read
Study
Sometimes with a buddy
But, study.
This is no hobby,
You can't afford to get sloppy.
It's as crucial for the soul
As five a day for the body
So study.
And when you read
Treat each word
Like a tutor;
It can teach you
How to live shrewder.
And when you read
Sustain it like a seed,
Ensure you pay heed
Cos it will never mislead.
And when you read
Do it to a plan,
Always with intent
And be sure
To finish as you began.
And when you read
Commit to it daily,
Commit it to memory
To avoid thinking lazily.
And when you read
Do it while a commuter
Do it on a computer
Do it with a kindle
Do it with audio
Do it with a paperback
Do it with a hard back
Do it from front to back.
However you develop the knack
Don't let yourself slack;
This Word is no throw back,
It will keep you on track.
So just read.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
