We Are What We Read

Most of us take the opportunity for a good clearout when we move house, especially if we are downsizing. Recently I have experienced this for myself.

When decluttering, there’s a useful rule of thumb: If you don’t use it, it doesn’t fit, or it’s not fit for purpose, then get rid of it! And I faithfully followed this advice. But as so often is the case, there’s a but…

I’m an avid reader and I’ve been acquiring books since my teenage years. Admittedly, when I’ve been less than keen on a book, I have given it away, but this seems to have been the exception rather than the rule, with the net result being my own mini-library.

“You can’t possibly take all those books with you,” I was told. And indeed, this did seem to be the reality. The only problem was that when I started to sort through them, each one held a memory — both of the story itself and the circumstances in which I had read it.

You may be surprised to hear that books actually change us. We are defined by what we read. And each book holds a particular and personal significance for us. In this way we become attached to each of these missives in a personal way.

In the same way that our choice of reading material alters and defines us, we too are transformed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we make both our earthly and our spiritual journey, the Lord works in us and through us. We become more finely tuned to both the love of Christ and to our own desire to serve him.

And in perspective, our particular faults and failings become clearer to us, as we try to fulfil what the Lord requires of us.

Of course, this is not always an easy path to tread. Recognising exactly where we go wrong, and attempting to rectify it, can at times be a somewhat painful process.

Yet during this process we also learn to perceive others in a new way. We can begin to recognise the face of Christ in each one of those people whom we may encounter.

When this is initiated we can be sure that the Lord is changing us, defining us in his own special way, and attempting to make us worthy followers of him.

We are defined by our life circumstances, our faith and even our reading matter!

Against all odds, my own “library” has been comfortably rehoused in my new abode, and I am happily rereading some old favourites.

Yes, we are defined by what we read. But most importantly, if we allow ourselves to be open to it, we are defined by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Julia Beacroft’s book Sanctifying The Spirit is published by Sancio Books. It is available on Amazon.