Over the last couple of days, I did one of my favorite things–hiding away in a comfy chair and reading as much as I could. Many have an idea that ministers just sit in their study and read books all day; the truth is that I really have to intentionally make time and space to read. My wife constantly comments about how many books arrive at our house; the challenge is reading everything that I have a hunger and desire to read. The last few days, I picked some books and just powered through as many as I could, like a woman on a mission. You can see all the recent books I’ve been reading in the picture below.
A few I picked because they may be helpful in some sermon series that I’m exploring for this year. In particular, I’m doing a number of services in the run-up to the election to counter the high amount of anxiety that we’re all carrying; right now, the working title is “Hope in a Handbasket.” Some I picked because I’d been hearing a lot of buzz around them. Some of them I’m reading to see if there may be some good sermons in there. Some I wanted as continuing education around topics I’ve already been exploring, and a couple just because they intrigued me.
The one book that is staying with me is Rebecca Solnit’s “A Paradise Built In Hell.” In short, it gave me hope in a realistic, comprehensive and researched way. She has done extensive research on the human responses to the aftermaths of disasters like earthquakes, 9/11, and fires. Over and over, she found that government systems failed and the media looked for the worst in people and stirred up panic, but that the actual responses of humans was of building community, improvising, helping and creating what she called a “utopia,” where class, race, gender and other differences were put aside and mutual aid and compassion ruled.
And oh, how I needed this hope. You’ll probably be hearing more about this and other sources of hope for me these days. I hope that, today, you can find your own corner to learn and be inspired as well.
