Sermon On Between The Covers

Elwyn Brooks White an American writer once remarked: “A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people - people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book." Exodus 34:28 reminds us: “So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”

Life might be compared to the refuge of a book. Its embodiment contains an outer cover that protects, the inner sanctum contains a beginning, a middle and an end. It is often considered a narration of an individual journey with differing complex chapters, tailor made with experiences, both joyful and sad. It may tell a simple story or contain suggestions, guidance or remedies. This comparison highlights that while some parts of life may be predestined (like one’s birth), people are the authors of their own controlled expedition and have the agency to "turn the page" and shape what happens next.

That may include experiencing life to its fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity. Drawing a parallel to fully engaging with the contents, chronicles, and adventures found within the covers of a book or it may be a personal expedition or journey of only static imagery where there is little movement or excitement. This may encourage one to become staid in their ways. Progression is important for continuous improvement, personal development, and avoiding plateaus in various aspects of life, including career, learning, and physical fitness. It involves setting and working toward new goals to develop skills, build confidence, increase productivity, and adapt to new challenges. As each page of a book is turned, so a new perspective often emerges.

Books can significantly influence and guide a person's life by offering new outlooks, imparting wisdom, and providing moral frameworks. However, its pages need to be turned to progress. The extent of this influence depends on the individual reader, the content of the book, and how the savant chooses to apply any lessons learned. The Bible is considered a divine book of guidance for Christians, providing instructions and advice on how to live according to God's will. It contains commands, wisdom principles, and teachings from Jesus to help believers navigate their daily lives and moral dilemmas. The Bible is a foundational text for Christianity and Judaism, viewed by believers not merely as a book, but as the inspired word of God, offering profound depths into the nature of reality, morality, purpose, and the human condition. Many individuals turn to the Bible for learning about religious history, moral principles, theology, and spiritual guidance.

The principal foundation of a person’s life determines its stability and the power to withstand during troubled times. There are two ways to build a life. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus’ parable of the two builders, infers that hearing his teachings is not enough; it is crucial to put them into practice. The wise builder who hears and obeys Jesus is like one who builds a house on rock, which can resist storms. The foolish builder who hears but does not obey is like one who builds on sand, and their house will collapse during the inevitable storms of life. This passage emphasizes that true faith is demonstrated through action and obedience, which creates a lasting and firm foundation for life. The passage reminds us: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

"Between the Covers," can shape individual life by influencing perspectives on relationships, history, and social issues, as well as fostering empathy and personal growth. Books introduce readers to different experiences and ideas, broadening horizons and encouraging reflection on bigger questions like grief, love, and the true reality of life's meaning. Many religions teach that God shapes a person's life through various means, such as by working in individuals to fulfill a purpose, guiding decisions, or transforming character over time. This can be understood as a process of divine guidance and spiritual transformation, where individuals can choose to align their lives with a higher power and, in doing so, allow for changes in their path and character. Some belief systems emphasize that God's will is ultimately in control, while others suggest a more cooperative relationship where God works with human free will.