A Lasting Impression

Some books are read and then quickly forgotten. Others make a lasting impression.

In that second category, one such book is a book I read many years ago. Safely Home by Randy Alcorn is a book I have thought of often, particularly in recent weeks. Sadly, I don’t remember the entire story line. What I do remember was a group of Christian’s living in remote areas of inland China. They were forbidden to meet for worship, except at state-approved “churches”. Yet they would walk for miles, leaving hours before dawn, to gather in secret places with other believers for worship and Bible study, knowing that if they were caught, they would be imprisoned. And this is the part that really had an impact on me: each member of this house church kept a few pages of Scripture, safely hidden away from the prying eyes of the secret police, guarded with their very lives, which they would bring with them each Sunday morning to worship. They divided the pages of the Bible among the group so that if one were caught and arrested, the entire Bible would not be lost. They valued the Scripture that much. That’s what made the impression on me. It’s a fictional story, but it made a lasting impression.

Thinking of that reminded me of a woman I read about some time ago, whose name I don’t remember, who had copied the entire Bible, in her own hand. Slowly and carefully, so as not to make a mistake, she filled several binders with hand-written copies of God’s Word. She valued the Scripture that much. That made an impression on me.

I have recently been rereading A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. It’s another book that made a lasting impression. My copy is well-worn and highlighted, and reading it is much like sitting and having a personal conversation with Nancy about the things that are most important. Things like an intimate personal relationship with Jesus. A vibrant daily devotional life. Spending time in the Scripture. Consistently.

This book has stuck with me through the many years since I first read it because not only is it encouraging, but it is also very practical. She addresses things like “I’m too busy” and “I just know how to get started having a good quiet time”.

These are the kinds of questions that, if we are honest, we have all said at one time or another. And rather than dance around the subject, she deals with these issues head on with some practical tips. Some “here’s how to get started” and some “this is what I do.”

This book made a lasting impression on me. It’s one I would recommend to you, particularly if you find yourself struggling with the “I’m too busy”.

With a strong emphasis on spending time in the Bible, having a consistent plan for Bible reading, and for memorizing Scripture, I suspect this book will make a lasting impression on you, just as it did on me.

“Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25;4-5 NASB)