Bookmobile

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. — Philippians 3:10                        

Before the electronic gadgets and distractions of today, the long summer days of my boyhood were brightened each week when the bookmobile arrived. It was a bus lined with book-filled shelves that were transported from the regional library to neighborhoods so that those without transportation could access them. Because of the bookmobile, I spent many a happy summer day reading books that would otherwise have been inaccessible. To this day, I am thankful for the love of books that the bookmobile fostered in me.

Some Bible scholars say that the apostle Paul had a love of books and studied them till the end of his life. He wrote in his final letter, “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come — and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13). The books he was asking for could very well have been the Old Testament and/or some of his own writings.

I’m sure that Paul’s pursuit of knowledge was more than intellectual curiosity or entertainment. It was the pursuit of Christ that drove Paul. His goal: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Phil 3:10). I pray that this same pursuit will drive us today. — Bill Crowder         

Heavenly Father, give me

a passionate desire to know You

and Your Son. Please stir my heart

for this, the greatest of all pursuits,

so that I might grow ever closer to You. Amen.         

READ: Philippians 3:7-14

To know Christ is the greatest of all knowledge.