Former Ding Dong

I finished a reading a book last night, closed it, thought about it, skimmed back through the pages, and proceeded to log it on my reading list. I then realized - I am a ding dong.

As I scrolled through the list of books I’ve read this year I was astounded at the titles I don’t even remember reading.  Most of them I have underlined so I can go back and find quotes I can’t remember, but I was struck by the fact that the content of some of them made no difference.   After I thought about that I went to the “to be read stack” to get the next book to read!

So, I came to the conclusion - I am a ding dong.

Imagine spending time reading so many books and not allowing them to impact me (be careful, you’re being set up). It’s as if I read because it was the right thing to do (you know where I’m going?).   I liked the title, the topic, the author, or it was recommended to me, so I read it. I read them because I can and I enjoy doing it… little impact (hang on).

Here’s the issue, the problem wasn’t the books. I’ve come to the conclusion I am too often a distracted reader (wait for it).  My eyes run over the words like a greased steam-roller while my mind is on the edge thinking on unrelated issues.

Who would repeatedly go through the motions without the heart engaged? (here it is)

Then I thought about my worship, encounters with God that have little impact because of my distraction.   I hurry through time with God like a greased steam-roller while my mind wanders to things… stuff… more interesting?!

Then I thought about the Bible.  Do I read that with hunger?

I thought about my faith.  Distracted?

I wonder why I don’t consider distraction a sin?  I wonder how many diamonds of truth I am missing because my undisciplined mind is busy counting grains of sand?   I wonder if that’s why the author of Hebrews told me to “fix [my] eyes?” (12:2)

I’m going to go back through the books I’ve read this year and spend some time with what was underlined.

I’m going to ignore distraction during my moments with the Lord.

How ‘bout that - I learned from books I didn’t think I learned anything from.

Former Ding Dong,

Pastor Dave