Both of my vocations require a fair amount of reading merely to stay current with my
responsibilities. I’ve often considered how, why, and even if it’s beneficial to read more broadly outside of these demands. I’ve come to the conclusion that if I don’t read more broadly, I stunt my intellectual growth and lose the ability to speak to the issues that I write, teach, and speak about.
Today, one of the choices that I need to make is whether or not to take the time to stay current on my Bible reading plan, or go straight to the sermon and claim this as my “Bible reading” for the day. I don’t necessarily think that there’s a right or wrong answer, but I do believe that if I don’t maintain the daily habit of reading other parts of Scripture than I’m studying to preach and teach from, then I’ll regress in my understanding of and command of Scripture, not to mention personal godliness and enjoyment of God’s Word.
Likewise, whether it’s mass-market fiction or other genres, reading broadly helps me to think through the connects between the material for my current projects and other items that create interest in them and relate to them. So, I need to continue to make the effort and schedule the time to read broadly outside my disciplines.
What are your reading habits? What has been most helpful to your spiritual, personal, and professional growth?
Half Baked 