Reading “On Purpose”
I wouldn’t consider myself an avid reader, however, I do like a good book. When I do read it tends to be for professional education and development rather than recreation. I love biographies of leaders and non-fictional accounts of significant events. On occasion, I have read for pleasure and have even enjoyed the escape; I just like reading for “purpose” more.
I can remember being a young boy of about 4 or 5 years old and already having favourite stories. One in particular, was about a boy who had a secret that he kept in his room. In this story, he explained in very short sentences that nobody knew he had a turtle hidden away under his bed in a hatbox that his mother gave him. My parents read the book to me dozens (hundreds?) of times and, even though I knew how the story would end, I enjoyed the process of discovering the turtle in the hatbox. This was my early introduction to books.
As I grew older, reading took on a more laborious and less exciting nature. Textbooks became the necessary reads as I strived to finish school with the best grades possible. I didn’t much enjoy this type of reading. I don’t know any teen-ager who does.
Then, as I entered and progressed in the workforce, my job started to develop into a lifelong career. Part of my management responsibilities had me engage in reading statements and reports that were full of data and numbers that required my thoughtful interpretations.
For some reason, I seemed to have a gift or affinity for this type of reading.
I remember being so engaged with business reporting that it once compelled me to create a new and improved “uber-report” for the organization. This report was considered to be the mother-of-all-sales-reports as it contained everything needed to derive context from statistics of past years, build awareness of the current status, and also project future expectations should the trends continue. It was a fantastic report that, as I reminded the other leaders in the company, told a very specific story about our business performance. We grew to depend on the information the report gave us and used it to amend our actions based on the facts it provided.
Q: What type of “reader” are you?
We all have spent our lives consuming content. What we consume shapes us. It influences our thoughts and behaviours. It causes us to make changes from the traditional ways of doing things and to embrace the innovative ways required in today’s marketplace.
We use the information in many different sources of content to help us build strategies that, we hope, will bring sustainability and success.
I wonder… do we consume the stories, ideas and directives in the Holy Bible with the same level of intent and consideration that we give to other secular sources?
Romans 15:4 (NIV) says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
This verse gives us a clear understanding of WHY the scriptures are so important; they are meant to teach us. To encourage us. To give us HOPE.
This aligns closely with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) that says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The scriptures prepare us for engaging with LIFE.
As a child, I LOVED the “I Have a Turtle” book.
As a young professional leader, I LOVED the reports that gave me information.
As an adult, do I LOVE God’s word with the same fervour and passion as I had for others?
Do you?
I think we sometimes take the Holy Bible for granted. It’s always there if we need it. We may have read it hundreds of times. Is there anything new we can glean from it’s pages?
One last thought…
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
My encouragement to you is to ensure you are including this book as part of your reading repertoire whether looking for encouragement and hope in your personal or professional life. Fall in love with the stories again. Let it shape your days as it securely leads you into the future. Share the words and learnings with your Corpath brothers and sisters.
My Prayer:
My God, thank you for this word today. I admit there have been times that I have treated your holy word as equal to all other sources of information around me. Please forgive me for that. I pray to ask that you would reignite a passion for the stories and lessons contained in the pages. I pray that I would consume your thoughts fully and share them with those near me. Thank you for giving me such a valuable playbook for my life. Amen.
Blessings As Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
