The title of the book drew me to it as I am always interested in better organizing my life, but once I opened it there was oh so much more! As I started to read it my eyes fell upon the words “live out of an empty soul”. That’s when I grabbed my highlighter. The author speaks of Christians who are so busy being Christians and serving the Lord but Christ isn’t the focus of their life. He asks us are we “driven” or all we “called”?
Some people are motivated by praise and success; others are caught up in serving and trying to meet all the needs and demands coming their way. As a minister’s wife for 26 years, I would often think about this. I love the Lord with all my heart but I would find myself “soul empty” because my time so full of the ministry. Yes I read my Bible and prayed but my focus wasn’t fully Christ but the tasks at hand.
No wonder we feel exhausted, hopeless and on the verge of burnout.
This book has so much to offer. Mr. McDonald shares attitudes and applications to establish if we are being driven or called to do something. He shares openly about his breakdown and shares how he began to rebuild his life on a firmer foundation. I like that he doesn’t just tell me I have a problem but gives me the tools to restore my life. I can learn how to reevaluate my priorities, control my time instead of it controlling me, how to re-enforce my spiritual inner life, and learn to truly rest. It excites me to see the world through the eye of the Bible and the Lord and not just what my flesh can perceive.
No wonder so many of us lack peace in our lives. I know I personally need to strengthen my inner world because my outer world the last few years has become almost too much to bear. The author jolted my mind with the example of Jesus ministry. Yes I knew it but I hadn’t ever noticed that he was never in a hurry. No one ever has or ever will have such a massive outer world to deal with. People constantly surrounding him and begging for help, teaching, dealing with those that wanted to harm him, and trying teach hard to teach disciples. Yet He was always at peace. Even as God in the flesh He took time to rest and be with His Heavenly Father. Amazing!
I so appreciate the built in study guide that will help me step by step to achieve this strengthening. When my focus is completely on Christ and all else that is shouting for my attention and energy will be sorted out as to whether deserves my attention or not. I will not be driven by the tyranny of the urgent but by looking through my Savior’s eyes. I want Him to be my only guide, not my planner or to do list. This book is to study and reread. I am keeping it as a reference book when I complete all it has to offer. An exceptional book all Christians need to read.
I received this book from W Publishing Group through Handlebar. I was not required to give a positive review; the opinions stated are my own.