There is a great line from the movie “Shadowlands.” The C.S. Lewis character, played by Anthony Hopkins, says, “We read to know we’re not alone.” He picked that up from a former student and let it teach him something valuable later in life.

A challenge I have in my own life is reading great books. Books teach me. The temptation is to read only for pragmatic purposes. I could read because I’m preparing for a class, or preparing a sermon. To read deeper is a challenge… and a joy.

Spiritual reading for me is reading to know God. It will take me a little longer. It may not be something I can preach or teach right away. It may be something that takes me several readings to understand. Yet, I pound away because I want God to do something IN ME. Not for others. IN ME. I need my heart made pliable.

What reading challenges you?

My top books:

Seven Storey Mountain, by Thomas Merton

Desiring God, by John Piper

Loving God, by Chuck Colson

Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard

The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis.

I have some fiction books that have been great, but these are spiritual wells where I draw the best water for my life.

What about you?