Sometimes, after I speak at a conference, someone will come up to my book table and say, “I’d never heard of you before today, sorry.”
My response is always the same.
“That’s nothing to be sorry about. You are a member of a very large group of people that includes most humans on this planet.”
Then we both laugh and I try to sell them a ten pack of Quitter.
Not knowing who I am does not make you rare. Not having read The Hunger Games makes you rare.
I am currently part of that elite circle. There are 7 of us. We don’t get coffee or have matching mustaches, but I know the other 6 are out there somewhere. And that is enough for me.
I didn’t do it on purpose. I am not waging a silent, clearly unsuccessful, campaign against The Hunger Games. I hear great things and might read the books some day. Not reading them just sort of happened. And it’s happened with other books too. Most notably: Every book ever written by Tim Keller.
I might be the only literate Christian who has not read a book by Tim Keller. Everyone I love and respect, loves and respects Tim Keller.
And when I talk about the Bible, or God or life, inevitably one of my friends will say, “Keller has a book on that subject. Have you read it?” I could say, “I’ve been thinking a lot about the implications of Elijah’s fiery ascent to heaven and what it says about modern day hang gliding,” and a friend will say to me, “Keller changed my life with his book about hang gliding. Have you read it?”
I then shake my head with shame and say, “No, I keep meaning to, but I haven’t. I heard Prodigal God is amazing. I’m dumb. I’m sorry.”
The sad thing is, I know exactly what is going to happen. It’s the same thing that happened to me with Coldplay. I waited until their second or third album to listen to them. Then I finally got around to it and fell in love. I proceeded immediately to tell everyone about this “new band Coldplay.”
I’m going to read a Keller book in a month or two, then tell the rest of the world about this new guy Tim Keller.
Going through that experience over and over again made me curious about whether I’m the only one this has happened to?
Are you the Christian who has never eaten at Chick-fil-A?
Are you the one who hasn’t seen Fireproof?
Are you still, despite my many posts about the subject, refusing to obey the 11th Commandment? Journaling during your quiet time?
Those are a few I thought of, but I bet you’ve got your own. As you think on it, allow me to introduce you to this new musician I just discovered. Her name is Adele. Trust me on this one. This girl is going places.
Question:
What’s a book, CD, or event it seems like every Christian but you has experienced?
