Why?
Because there are things I would like to tell my 20 something self!
The expectation was to be humoured and laugh along with some truths. Some hard truths, some funny truths, some down-to-earth truths. Instead, I found this book to be more a catalyst for their own ministry. This means, that the title was very misleading.
Not only was the title misleading to my original thought of what the book was but when you read the list below, you are ready to read and learn. You are excited to see what the pages will say. However, some of the content seems to be more representative of a closed minded view of the world and faith that is called Christianity.
However, there was a lot of good things I learned and good food for thought for me. Yes, you can learn a lot from even books that don't jive with you. It's true. Promise.
Here are the 20 Things They would tell their twenty something selves:
#1 Examine Your Foundation Carefully
#2 Remain Teachable
#3 Dig Deeper Than Your Doubt
#4 Choose Your Community Carefully
#5 Feed Yourself
#6 Foster Good Habits
#7 Learn to Rest
#8 Be Patient
#9 Don't Worry
#10 Adjust Your Expectations
#11 Take Risks
#12 Evaluate Your Emotions
#13 Press Into Pain
#14 Take Sin Seriously
#15 Embrace Grace
#16 Seek Healing
#17 Live Loved
#18 Cultivate an Eternal Perspective
#19 Make God's Glory Your Goal
#20 Finally, Prepared to be Amazed
With Chapter One, this statement really irritated me....
"Although he had learned at his old suburban church that Muslims and atheists did not believe the truth about Jesus and would spend an eternity separated from Him..... the real Muslims and atheists he met were much nicer than he imagined..." (page 29).
What in the world is WRONG with people?! Are you kidding me?
Yes, believe your faith but to teach that you are better than others is one of the most grating things to my soul. What makes you so much better than your Muslim sister or brother?
I am glad the writer admitted they were much nicer "in person" than he expected but what is wrong with the fact that he was taught to see them as less then? And if they were nicer than you imagined, what in the world were you taught about them? This is SO wrong and not Christian like at all if you look at the Bible. This is a huge reason I struggle in my faith.
In Chapter 14, where he talks about "Taking Sin Seriously"...
To my surprise- this was beautifully put...
"And over and over, as it is with all parents, but unbeknownst to them, their sin left it's mark on me." (page 165).
He goes no to talk about the abandonment issues that his mother and him experienced because his father couldn't stay as long as he should of. He would lash out and then leave. Then come back, convince the mum to stay and then start the cycle again.
What is profound about that is thinking sometimes, especially within the culture of which we live, that we only affect ourselves but that is not the case.
Other chapters have things that upset me and at the same time reveal more findings in myself. So, either way, this book will make you think.
Personally, I think the book is more drawn out than it needs to be in some areas and in other areas needs to be ironed out more.
Some of the issues for me definitely stem from a closed minded Christianity point of view- because I know many Christians who are not closed minded and are open to everyone. This is possible. So, some of the book really grates me. But it does make me realise, I don't have tolerance for certain things and that is good. Especially in the time of re-finding myself.
It is also not written to be easily read either.
I give this book ☀☀ out of five.
(Good Reads Review here)
* I was given this book to read in exchange for my honest review from Moody Publishers *
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