Leaders are Readers

2 Timothy 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come– and the books, especially the parchments. (NKJV).

Paul is at the end of his life. He’s in prison. He says he wants two things – his coat and his books. C. H. Spurgeon, commenting on this passage, says, “He is inspired, yet he wants books. He has been preaching at least 30 years, yet he wants books. He’s seen the Lord, yet he wants books. He’s had a wider experience than most men, yet he wants books. He’s been caught up to heaven and has heard things that are unlawful to utter, yet he wants books. He’s written a major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books.” Wow! Paul exhorted Timothy to read (public reading and exhorting of its meaning, see 1 Timothy 4:13), yet he wanted his beloved books. Paul’s penchant for his parchments may be a reference to the originals of his Epistles.

I can honestly say I’ve been “mentored” by some of the best through reading their stuff! It’s true, reading is feeding! I believe leaders – but everybody really – benefits from reading. Especially leaders though need to be exposing themselves to material via that amazing thing called the written word, material that has the capacity under God’s anointing to be the Word of God to us; revelation, inspiration, challenge, direction, conviction, encouragement, and just great brain fodder!

So…, “what” are you reading? Or, “are” you reading something right now? What are we feeding on? Are we feeding on good stuff? (Apart from the Bible of course, which is and always should be our staple reading diet). How about starting your next conversation with a friend, family member or work colleague with this question; “So, what are you reading at the moment?”.

Yes, leaders are readers! John Maxwell says (and he may well have been quoting someone else!), “Everything rises and falls on Leadership. The key to our success in growing any organisation, is our ability to lead”. Leadership is important. It’s a tough task at the best of times. One thing though that can feed the leader, is reading. Leaders give out, so, they need to take in! Otherwise their output exceeds their input and their upkeep will be their downfall! Rick Warren says; “Every profession has its tools. … The tools of ministry are books”. Yes, as long as we live we must be still learning, inputting, feeding. It’s true, Leaders are Readers! Here’s some thoughts about reading.

Firstly, Reading is About Ideas. Reading stretches the brain, which is after all just another muscle in our body. “Reading is to the mind is what exercise is to the body”. I saw this in Paihia when we were there on holiday. (I always carry a notebook to write things like this down. In fact for years now I have been a habitual note-taker, quote taker, anywhere, anytime, anything).

Ideas, even unoriginal ones, can be life-changing. We don’t have to have an original idea to change our life, and make a difference in the world! Ideas – surprise surprise! – come from thinking! And God has given us freedom in our thinking. So reading can feed good thinking, which leads to better things in life. Dave Meyer (husband of Joyce) says; “Where your mind goes, your life will follow”.

Secondly, Reading Inspires. Reading inspires us to try new things, attempt bigger things, have faith, trust God, do what we should do and not do what we shouldn’t do. There’s nothing like a story (especially Bible stories but others too), to inspire us onwards to personal growth and development.

Thirdly, Reading Changes Us. When our brain is expanded by a new or fresh idea, especially when God’s anointing and power is on that idea – like a Bible truth – it can change us from the inside out. Remember; John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV). We learn stuff, become more knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects, we become a better Godlier person. We can even begin and a conversation by at least asking an intelligent question! John F. Kennedy once said; “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought”.

Fourthly, Reading is what Great Leaders Do. John Maxwell says in his little book The Power Of Leadership; “Powerful leaders are readers! Even those who don’t read widely read wisely. They often clip articles and quotes to file for future use, which has been a practice of mine for more than thirty years. Over the years, I have often been asked to share my quote collection. ‘The Power Of Leadership’ is my fulfilment of those requests for material on leadership. Long ago, I learned that if you want to quote like a leader, you must note like a leader. In this book, you will find great material to help you build your leadership power. So be ready to take some notes and file some quotes!

And Rick Warren says; “We’ve got a saying at Saddleback that I frequently tell our staff – every leader is a reader. Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. If you’re going to lead, you’ve got to be thinking further in advance than the people that you’re leading. That means you have to be reading”.

And lastly, Reading Leads To Writing. The written word is a powerful tool. If you can read well, you can usually write OK, which will put you in a better place in so many ways. Study, employment, even emailing and life itself is better when you can convey ideas well via the written word. The ability to construct and convey an idea via the written word is a skill that can grow into something that will bless the writer and many others! Learning to express ideas in written form also helps us express ideas better verbally.

Writing preserves something for our kids and future generations. Exodus 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua…,” (NKJV). Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. (NKJV).

Let’s give our brain some feeding by reading! Let’s stretch it with some new ideas and truths, especially Bible truths. I believe kids need to be encouraged to read at a young age. Tear them away from the TV and video games and get them hooked on books! Then you’ll never have to amuse them again! A subscription to the local library will do the trick!

So go forth and read! Reading helps Leading! Reading helps with living. You might learn something life-changing and get to enjoy it!