Lessons Learnt

In looking back at 2023, I was initially going to pick my favourite books that I got to read this year. I actually had this all ready to share before I realized that something else was weighing heavier on my heart.

During my brief time as a book reviewer and Bookstagrammer this year, I've been feeling both grateful and humbled by what's involved in promoting Christian books. As a result, I thought I'd share a few things I've learnt since starting this journey up earlier this summer.

1. There are more books published than I'll ever be able to read. This is so true, considering how many titles are released each week, and how many authors are emerging that I haven't heard of until more recently. Even until this early fall, I was in the mindset of accumulating as many Christian books as I could whenever I travelled. However, I now look at the sheer number of books to read, and feel like I need to be much more discerning of my TBR pile so that I can make the most of my time in a wise manner. Part of that has prompted me to work on the #ClearlyChristianReadathon with Christian Books and Coffee and Devoted to Hope. Another part of me has used this opportunity to curb my consumerism, which has not only helped my pocketbook, but saved me from book purchases I might later regret.
2. Not everyone wants to hear my convictions. This is something that has shaken me a little, though I hope to move past it. Since I seldom share about books I don't like, I'm not used to this side of being a book reviewer. Call it naïveté or hopeful optimism, but I still envision people being able to be encouraging toward one another despite holding different opinions. This has been the approach I've tried to adopt online, but I can also see how being behind a computer screen or device can result in more emboldened behaviour at a distance. Earlier this month, I prayed a great deal before sharing the two negative reviews I've written (2 out of 50 reviews—keep that ratio in mind!) and whether they should be posted outside of this blog because I felt so strongly about them. Well, I suppose I got my answer; people don't want to hear about it unless they know who I am and where I'm coming from (which is fair, as that would be the same in real life). Since I value unity in the body of Christ, I may have to be more judicious in what I share. I don't want to compromise on truth, but in reality, there are a lot of problematic books that I wouldn't read but that I don't broadcast, so I'm going to focus even more on being positive and encouraging. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts, which means that I'd rather direct my time on where He leads me instead of being distracted by everything else out there. In hindsight, I almost wish I hadn't read the books that I gave negative reviews to, but alas, it has taught me something about the world of book reviews, so here I am.
3. My desire for the Bible and for books that speak openly of Jesus has grown immensely. I admit that I'm not great when it comes to reading God's Word in consistent measures throughout my life. There are some years where I'll read the Bible whenever I have a moment, and other years where I'll do the morning and evening readings, but Scripture doesn't much enter my mind the rest of the day. In a way, having read some not-so-great books has led me back to the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 is so alive to me now: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." With this in mind, it has spurred me on to finding good Christian books that point back to God and His Word. I used to enjoy a lot of books that I considered as good, clean entertainment, but now I'm hungry for books that keep Jesus at the centre, whether fiction or non-fiction. My appetite has definitely shifted and I find myself less interested in things that may come across as empty and spiritually void.
4. Sharing about Christian books is a gift and a burden. When I first started blogging and posting content, it was fun and lighthearted. I did it as sheer pleasure and to be honest, it was a distraction from some professional courses I was working on at the time. Though I had lurked on Bookstagram for a while, I thought it would be enjoyable to jump in and meet new people. Thankfully, I have truly enjoyed moments of being a Christian Bookstagrammer, especially in meeting other like-minded believers. However, I'm not sure when the shift took place as I honestly didn't expect it, but I'm a lot more somber when it comes to talking about Christian books now. I love encouraging authors and readers, but I also see the responsibility involved in maintaining theological fidelity and ensuring that I don't promote books or authors who may communicate incorrect doctrine or practices. It's a burden because we are all sinners and so there is no perfect book or author out there, other than the Word of God. There's always the risk that something I promote may one day, turn out to be an egregious mistake. Though I do my best to pray and seek God's direction on what to read and write, it's still a burden to get things right.
5. I need more spiritual discernment than ever before. I want to keep the tone of these lessons that I've learnt hopeful, but grounded in Jesus. Without Him, there would be no point to what I write or share. He is everything to me, and I want everything I post to reflect Him as much as possible. Honestly, there are some days where I feel like it would be easier to just read whatever I want. At the same time, I know that if God is bringing me to a place where I feel so much conviction around what I consume, I can't ignore it. Not every book that is labelled Christian is Christian. Not everything that gets promoted on Christian Bookstagram is good. One example that I'm not vocal about elsewhere is just how many LDS authors there are now, including those who are collaborating with biblical Christians and those who are under what have been traditional evangelical publishing houses. My stance is much less common where I won't read any of these books, but it's also controversial enough that I don't care to get into arguments with strangers online, which is why I have refrained from saying too much (my email is available for actual dialogues but I know how inflammatory comments can become). For me, I want to be obedient to God and maintain these personal convictions, along with anything else that He brings to mind. I'm thankful that this reading journey isn't solely on me, and pray for His continued grace to sustain me into the new year.

Obviously, I still have so much to learn, but I am also filled with gratitude. I'm thankful to the many kind authors who have taken the time to connect with me this year; I'm thankful for the amazing readers who have shared similar convictions and provided great reading suggestions; and ultimately, I'm thankful to God for teaching me a lot of things and growing me in my walk with Him this past year.

I pray that anyone reading this will experience Jesus more deeply and closely in the new year! It's been quite the ride, and I pray for God's will to be accomplished in 2024. Happy new year!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17