Like A Book

Do you like to read? America is a ‘literate’ nation. Statistical reports vary, but a high percentage of Americans can read. Many learned in first grade.

But we are also a nation of aliterates--people who can read but, for the most part, are completely uninterested in it. We choose not to read.

So many like watching TV and playing video games more than reading books. A report I heard said the average person reads one book between their school graduation and death.

Are we any better at reading people? Some claim, “I can read people like a book.” And that’s the problem. Many folks read people like they read books. They don’t.

Just as we drive by libraries without stopping to read, we pass by people every day and never stop to ‘read’ them. We don’t pay attention to their hopes, dreams or needs. If we do talk, we don’t really listen. We’re not interested in them unless they can do something for us.

Well hold it right there for just a minute! Why should other people matter that much to us?

Other people matter because, according to the Bible, they’re part of life’s purpose.

The majority of Americans seem to believe that life is about accumulating things. Our unofficial motto is “Get all you can; can all you get; sit on the lid and poison the rest!” We want it all and we want more than anyone else. Plus we’ll pay almost any price to get it.

So we sacrifice our health and even our families to “have it all.” How foolish.

In the process of pursuing our dreams, we run right over other people—and we never find satisfaction in life because we ignore others. They’re just not that important to us.

Jesus taught that people are very important to God. One day he will judge us based on how we helped others. He said that God expects more from those who have received so much.

Unlike us, Jesus was a good people reader. The Bible says that he knew men’s hearts.

One day a large crowd followed Jesus. His disciples saw a lot of people but Jesus saw them as “sheep without a shepherd.” He looked beyond their faults and saw their needs. He “read them like a book.” Why? Because he cared about them. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus’ followers realized that he saw people in a different light. They saw others as a bother. Jesus saw in them his purpose for being here on earth.

After Jesus’ resurrection everything changed. Fifty days later, on Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit came to live in Christ’s followers. Finally they began to see people as Jesus did.

When a person today becomes a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ, they also begin to realize that life isn’t just about them. They start to understand that we are here to serve others.

The world’s standard, demonstrated by millions of people every day, is “Use one another” or “Hate one another.” But Christ’s standard is “Love one another.” Jesus told his followers, “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” We call that “The Golden Rule.”

The Bible tells followers of Christ how to behave. They are to live in harmony and love one another. They are to accept, instruct and agree with one another, serve one another in love, be kind to one another, forgive, submit to and teach one another and encourage each another.

Why do we need the reminders? Because, if we do what comes naturally, we only think of ourselves. But God wants us to read people like a book. To serve them and meet their needs. If we will then we become less self-centered, more other-centered and Jesus’ joy will be ours.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!