True confessions: I have my own cache of inspirational books, many of them re-read for encouragement and challenge. When I know I'll be somewhere that I have to wait (like in a medical office reception area), I tuck a book in my purse. While most of those waiting are mindlessly thumbing their smart phones, I'm absorbing an inspirational paper “messenger” that challenges and lifts me.
My college and grad school career included reading in many subject areas to satisfy the curriculum requirements. At quarter's end, I sold them back to the bookstore or later gave them away in “periodic possession purges.” My current “office” (my daughter's old 8x9-foot bedroom) has two full bookshelves of helpful books. I also keep books by my bed stand and my recliner rocker. Most are Christian living or Bible study books. But the book most important to me—usually by my rocker, my “quiet place”--has worn bindings.
I have some way-out-there “heroes” of people with a deep, devout passion for scripture. One was John Wesley, known to the world as the “man of one book,” In his youth at Oxford University he became a well-read man of the scholarship and literature of his day. But the Bible eclipsed all as his guide and life-changer.
He wrote this in his “Preface to Sermons” (words that have become famous—take the time to imagine yourself back in his study as he scratched this with an ink-dipped quill):
O candid, reasonable men, I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing,—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach me the way.
For this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [“man of one book”]. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.
Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights:—“Lord, is it not Thy word, ‘if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God?’ Thou givest liberally, and upbraidest not. Thou hast said, ‘if any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know.’ I am willing to do, let me know Thy will.” I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God: and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach. (1)
I cannot add to what he wrote, only aspire to have the same compelling desire to know God through His Word.
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