Reading Matters

6/19/09 Matters of Reading
In the world of language arts education, the principle for beginning readers is “it doesn’t matter what they read, it just matters that they read.” I know fully the importance of reading and using what interests a young person is one way to “nudge” them along in the pursuit of books. Even comic books? Depends on the content of the comic book. Of course, today there is the genre of graphic novel to offer visual literature for struggling readers who prefer more pictures and fewer words---think of magazines. But what one reads does matter. “Garbage in, garbage out” holds true in all words especially words from music and reading---preachy, aren’t I?
Two other tenets that I espouse in the area of what matters in reading are:

1. The more you read, the more you know when you read.
2. Without comprehension, there is no reading.

Forgive the educational pedagogy---it’s the only way I know how to make my point. Basically, these beliefs hold true for me because I have experienced them in both personal and spiritual readings, whether reading a novel or the Bible. If a writer makes a reference to a boat name Zephyr, I figure it is easily moved by the wind because of a recollection (though vague) of a Greek myth. When reading in Hebrews about Abraham, I have more understanding if I have read the Genesis account. You get the idea.
With reference to comprehension being the key ingredient to reading, I think about myself trying to read through the legalese of documents or the “how to” of a tech manual---I can call the words but there is no understanding, thus no reading. Again, you get my drift, I’m sure.
How about with Bible study? Last Sunday, our pastor, Cole, preached on II Timothy 3:14-17 with emphasis on verses 16 & 17.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
How does one begin to understand Scripture/God’s Word? You begin by keeping that Bible open. “Keep an open Bible and you keep yourself open to God. (Huffman) This keeps you reading and the more you read……………the more you will understand His wisdom, His way, His will and then you will understand how to be more useful for His purposes. If one truly wants to be adequate/competent/thoroughly equipped for every good work then comprehension is necessary—otherwise it’s just like world calling---you might be able to say all the right things but you don’t really understand it or how it applies to your life.
The April 17 entry in Streams in the Desert calls the Bible the “Wise Old Book.” I think we’d be wise to keep it open and keep reading it asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding Truth.