Leaders are Readers

Leaders are readers. I don’t know who said it first, but I believe it’s true. It’s part of the value of being life-long learners.

My husband is a fast reader and seems to retain everything. I, on the other hand, am a slow reader and have to go back over everything I read, taking notes in order to process and have any chance of applying the material! I’m always reading about 85 books at once (which may be part of the problem!). I thought I’d share about one I’ve read this summer that has been particularly insightful. In fact, I would put it on my “must read” list. 

The book is called Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzaro. One of the key themes is the importance of recognizing the ways that we live into our “false self” – believing the lie that we are defined by the expectations, achievements, titles, and possessions of the world. Instead, we can embrace our “true self” – our identity in Christ –  by “Living and swimming in the river of God’s deep love for us . . . Soaking in this love enables us to surrender to God’s will, especially when it seams so contrary to what we can see, feel, or figure our ourselves . . . Only the love of God in Christ is capable of bearing the weight of our true identity.”

Scazzaro identifies three temptations that threaten us. He writes, “Each in its own way, screams: ‘God’s love for you will never be enough! You are not lovable. You are not good enough.’”

Temptation One: I Am What I Do (Performance)
Temptation Two: I Am What I Have (Possession)
Temptation Three: I Am What Others Think (Popularity)

In contrast, Scazarro cites Jesus’ understanding of who He is. In Matthew 3:17, the Spirit descends and God the Father says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” “In other words: “You are lovable. You are good. It is so good that you exist.” 

Scazzaro points out that at this point in Jesus’ life he has yet to perform any miracles, or die on the cross and rise again. Still, He receives this affirmation that he is deeply loved by his heavenly Father for who he is.

May each of us be reminded today that regardless of our circumstances or the shaming voices of the world, we are His beloved children in whom He delights.

If you need a further reminder, check out this VIDEO.

Laura Crosby

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