2018: Book #35
“We learn from Jonah that understanding God’s grace – and being changed by it – always requires a long journey with successive stages. It cannot happen in a single cathartic or catastrophic experience (like being swallowed by a fish!).”
That’s just one of the many arresting sentences written by Tim Keller in his new book, “The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy.”
My heart needed this book. Keller knows the human heart and he knows what we need to hear.
Take these excerpts as examples…
“It is only when you reach the very bottom, when everything falls apart, when all your schemes and resources are broken and exhausted, that you are finally open to learning how to completely depend on God.”
“The lack of mercy in Jonah’s attitude and actions toward others reveals that he was a stranger in his heart to the saving mercy and grace of God.”
“Jonah runs and runs. But even though he uses multiple strategies, the Lord is always a step ahead. God varies his strategies too, and continually extends mercy to us in new ways, even though we neither understand nor deserve it.”
This book is nothing short of life changing. I highly encourage all believers to read it. Keller’s section on a believer’s involvement in the political realm is simply amazing. He’s changed my view that believers should be involved in the political process…but he does this in a respectful, Jesus-honoring way.
Keller referenced Lincoln and slavery. If believers had thought that doing nothing and preaching the Gospel was enough, slavery would have lasted a lot longer. Therefore, we should bring our Gospel-centered voices to issues and not only shape issues and views, but also use those issues to present the Gospel.
Lord, change my heart. Help me to be more like you and less like me…and Jonah.
I highly recommend this book.
Keller’s book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
That’s book #35 for 2018.
17 more to go to reach 52 by the end of the year.
Remember, all leaders are readers.
If you want to be a better leader…be a reader.
#52in2018
