If you know me, you know I love books. In fact, book buying encompasses a number of areas in my life. It is a hobby, it is a passion, and it is work-related. While I do have other interests (World War 2 history, political analysis, etc.), my main pursuit is religious books, particularly those connected with the churches of Christ. For years I have perused bookstores, new and used, pursuing helpful information that would be practical both as a Bible student and as a preacher. And like any other collector, there are holes in sets I want to fill or hard to find items for which I am looking. One such book for me has somewhat of a story behind it.
After marrying and moving to Memphis to attend preaching school I decided to make a significant addition to my library by purchasing all of the lectureship books from the Denton/Schertz series that I could obtain. I had a few, but buying the rest was a hefty purchase; one, though, that I deemed worthwhile. If you are not familiar with these books, they are a series of lectures on individual books of the Bible that contain both commentary and homiletic material as well as information on difficult passages or themes in that particular book. They are not perfect, but they are very good. Thus I purchased all that were in print and finally picked up the few that were not over a period of several months of diligent searching. Finally I had my complete set and looked forward to using them both in my schoolwork as well as in my preaching. Then we moved. If you have ever moved anywhere you know how hectic things can become. Ours’ was no different. We packed up everything we owned and moved four hours northeast to Middle Tennessee where I then unpacked my library in my new office only to discover that one of my Denton books was missing. It was not just any book, though. It was one that was now out of print and near impossible to find. Story of my life.
I searched and called former classmates to see if someone had borrowed it, all to no avail. I had to resign myself to the fact that it was lost forever. Thus did my search begin once more. Over the next four years I loved being near a number of used bookstores and bought my fair share. I would find unique treasures on the Internet that I quickly added to my collection. But all the while that one book continued to evade me. Finally, though, a few weeks ago I did a random search on one of my favorite online bookstores. Full of doubt I typed in the name and editor of that particular book…and there it was, in good condition and at a reasonable price (though I surely would have paid more if they had asked)! I quickly purchased it and days later that book found its rightful place on my bookshelf in an empty spot reserved for its eventual return.
Granted this was a lengthy story and somewhat dramatic at times (sorry, like I said I love books). However, I believe it illustrates a necessary point for us all. Few things in life come easy. We each have worthwhile goals that we must spend lengthy periods of times pursuing. However, without the persistence necessary to achieve those goals, they are nothing more than lost opportunity. Such is especially true concerning souls. Do we not each have particular individuals that we know might be receptive to the gospel? But how often do we persist in our attempts to win them for God? Too often when we do obtain the courage to talk with them about the Bible we receive one signal of discouragement and fearfully resign our attempts.
In Acts 20 there are a number of verses that illustrate that persistence in Paul as he relentlessly sought to teach the people of Ephesus:
- “…and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house…” (Acts 20:20)
- “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there…” (Acts 20:22).
- “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
- “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31)
Such steadfast effort typifies Paul who was such a lover of souls. And regardless of all of his effort and sacrifice, Paul knew then and shall know eternally that everything he ever did for the cause of Christ was worth it. Friends, may you and I have such a relentless drive and passion for souls, as did great Christian examples like Paul. I want to be much more relentless in my pursuit of souls than I was for that book. I want to be a soul winner for Jesus. But we must realize that it will require persistence.