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A Hole in My Reading Plan Occasionally, though, there is a book that I seem to find myself moving through at an inchworm's pace. Usually this is for one of two reasons. The first is because the book is just boring. See, up until a few years ago, I couldn't bring myself not to finish a book once I started it. Finally I realized that there are so many books and so little time, why was I spending my time on a book I didn't enjoy? It's still a rare thing, though, for me to put an unfinished book aside. To illustrate how bad the book has to be, here's the first sentence of Thomas Pynchon's book Mason and Dixon (capitalization as printed): Snow-Balls have flown their Arcs, starr'd the Sides of Outbuildings, as of Cousins, carried Hats away into the brisk Wind off Delaware,— the Sleds are brought in and their Runners carefully dried and greased, shoes deposited in the back Hall, a stocking'd foot Descent made upon the great Kitchen, in a purposeful Dither since Morning, punctuated by the ringing Lids of various Boilers and Stewing-Pots, fragrant with Pie-Spices, peel'd Fruits, Suet, heated Sugar,— the Children, having all upon the Fly, among rhythmic slaps of Batter and Spoon, coax'd and stolen what they might, proceed, as upon each afternoon all this snowy Advent, to a comfortable Room at the rear of the House, years since given over to their carefree Assaults.Yeah, I got about two pages in and decided the other 700+ pages weren't getting my time. 
The other reason I read books slowly is because they are hard to absorb. It might be because they are difficult to hear, or it might be that they require me to think about my life, my actions, my attitudes, and actually change them. One such book was one I received in April from Thomas Nelson to review. The Hole in Our Gospel is by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S, the Christian relief and development organization. Stearns was CEO of Lenox—yes, the fine china company—when he was contacted about becoming president of World Vision. He laughed out loud. God changed his mind, his heart, and his life.
Stearns describes the idea of the book this way: "It's basically the belief that being a Christian, or follower of Jesus Christ, requires much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world" (italics original to quote). He does a good job of making his point. And it was his challenge that made me put down the book for days at a time. It's a powerful book, and that power wasn't always comfortable in my comfortable life. But it was so well written, so compelling, I kept coming back to it. Here's one more quote, explaining Luke 6:43-44, which says, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit." Stearns says: Therefore, faith and works should be seen not as two opposing ideas but as two manifestations of the same idea. A tree and its fruit are not different ideas in conflict with each other; rather, one is the natural product of the other. The tree is recognized by its fruit, and the fruit is produced inevitably by the tree.Sprinkled with compelling quotes, the book implores us to use the gifts, time, talents, and money God has given us—individually and corporately—to make a difference. A difference that will show the love of Christ to a skeptical world. Yes, it took me six months to read the book. I only hope I will remember it and live it for much longer. Read it, as long as it takes.
Joan I'm beginning to read it. Our local library actually had it, so I'll have to be a little quicker. Already, I'm being convicted.
Carol R. Cool Great, Joan, let me know what you think of it and what changes you're inclined to make based on it. |
