Favorite Books
There are three fiction books I’ve read multiple times from cover to cover. Charlotte’s Web began my love for fantasy with its talking animals. Narnia expanded that interest by adding new worlds, magic, and struggle between good and evil. Lord of the Rings took it to another level with its quest for the impossible and epic battles. What hooked me, though, is the choice to do something when doing nothing made more sense. I don’t exclusively read fantasy, but it is my comfort zone when reading for pleasure.
My oldest son has read Lord of the Rings multiple times, too. He’s also gone through the Harry Potter series many times. They are his favorite stories, and he notices different things as he reads them because he’s at a new stage in life each time. He likes to reread books because he knows he’ll like them and be entertained. It’s like with comfort food; sometimes he wants familiar because he knows he’ll like it. He also rereads a book series when an addition to the series is coming out to remind him what happened.
We both love to read. Rereading our favorite books reminds us of where the love of reading began and how much it’s developed. It shows us our growth as individuals in ways we might not see otherwise. What’s more, “the pleasure of reading changes and deepens” the more you read a good book (Like a Good Mystery Novel, the Bible Changes Upon a Second Reading by Daniel Stevens).
The Bible
Anything I’ve experienced rereading one of my favorite books is infinitely more true when rereading the Bible. Rereading the Bible in light of the end – what we know about salvation and eternity – transforms us in ways we cannot plan.
Stevens encourages intentional reading of the Bible to increase our understanding of it. Individual books. The whole Bible. Books in conversation. There are many ways to reread it that enhance and deepen what we already know about it.
The discovery of its author and the understanding of who we are in his eyes increases with each reading. On a much larger scale than a good book, rereading the Bible reminds me of God’s love for me. It tells me again of my journey with him, especially his faithfulness throughout it.
“Our God always says exactly what he means, and each word is in harmony with the whole.” (Daniel Stevens)
There aren’t any plot holes. There’s no lessening of meaning because we know the stories in it. Only more depth. More meaning. Increased knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
“Only by reading with Scripture can we be perfectly taught how to read Scripture.” (Daniel Stevens)
Read the Bible cover to cover. Read it chronologically. Read it in sections (narrative, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, law, epistles, apocalyptic literature). Read it by theme (love, peace, trust, hope, faith, etc.). Read about the people. Read it by yourself. Read it with others.
There’s no other experience like reading the Bible, and you never experience it the same way twice. God’s word never changes, but you do as you read it.
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. (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
