One of the greatest books I have read was one recently called, “The Shack” by William P. Young. (This
book is really booming all over the US). I highly recommend it to
everyone, as do several people I know that have read it. Without giving
too much of the book away, I wanted to share something that has stuck
in my mind from it. The main character, Mack, is talking to Jesus (in
person). The have been having a conversation for a while, and this is
how it ends:
book is really booming all over the US). I highly recommend it to
everyone, as do several people I know that have read it. Without giving
too much of the book away, I wanted to share something that has stuck
in my mind from it. The main character, Mack, is talking to Jesus (in
person). The have been having a conversation for a while, and this is
how it ends:
Mack asks Jesus this question: “Is that what it means to be a Christian?” Jesus responds with this: “Who said anything about being a Christian? I am not a Christian…Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrates, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institution. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, American and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa (what he calls God in the book), into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved.”
These words were so powerful to me as I thought back on my struggles with talking to people about the Lord and presenting the gospel. So many times I find myself leaning on the term “church” and leading the conversation in that direction. It always felt somewhat awkward to me when I went that way with things, but it is always how it seemed to work and then I would find myself stuck. It would get that way because I was focusing on the Loving Lord that we have and understanding that it isn’t the place of church that is the heart of the matter, but our own beloved Jesus who longs for nothing more than to walk through this journey with us and join us with our Heavenly Father.
Great book, Great words, Great stuff…..read it! AEH
