Through Time and Space
How the habit of reading connects us to the global and historical Church.
If you had access to a technology that allowed you to contact someone who lived in another period of history and part of the world, who would you like to learn from?
This technology already exists and it’s called writing!
Reading and writing are so commonplace in our modern world that we hardly recognize the amount of technology invested in a single page of a book. From the formation of languages and the development of the alphabet to the production of ink and paper and the manufacture of the book, millennia of human development have passed!
When we think of a book in this way, the habit of reading becomes a vital practice for the Church. According to Scripture, the Church is composed of those saved through faith in Jesus Christ, scattered around the globe (Rev 5:9) and throughout time, including those who have already died physically (Heb 12:23). Through reading, we have access to these brothers and sisters with whom, due to geographical or historical reasons, we would never have contact except in heaven.
It’s no coincidence that God himself chose to preserve His Word through writing!
The Lord used the testimony of holy people inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak to us (Hebrews 1:1-2). Today, this happens primarily through reading.
O hábito da leitura, portanto, pode ser um poderoso instrumento em nossa caminhada de amadurecimento no Senhor:
- Through biblical studies and commentaries, we are enriched with the illumination of the Holy Spirit, bringing blessings to our brothers and sisters through the Scriptures.
- Through stories and fiction, we are inspired by the imagination of our brothers and sisters and see the world in other ways.
- Through biographies, we are encouraged by the experiences of brothers and sisters on their journey with Christ.
- Through poetry, we are edified by the creativity of brothers and sisters who glorify the Lord with their art.
- Through devotional books, we are challenged to hear God’s voice with the help of devout brothers and sisters.
How about transcending the limits of time and space through the habit of reading and experiencing the Church on a broader scale?
