Warning: Don’t Read This Book

I heard that warning from everyone who told me about this book.  They said, “Don’t read this book if you like your life the way it is.”  Of course, nothing is going to get my attention faster or pique my interest in finding out what all the fuss is about.

I just finished The Hole in Our Gospel.  Author Richard Stearns shares his personal story of finding the answer to the question, “What does God expect of us?” along his unexpected journey to become the president of World Vision.  His story is compelling and authentic and I found myself drawn to this ordinary guy who was trying to figure out God’s will.  But this is so much more than just his personal story.  It is rich with several things that I found to be both interesting and useful:

• A challenging perspective on the fullness of the gospel.  This invites the reader into areas of scripture that may cause believers to question how God sees their salvation.
• An illuminating exploration on the causes and contributors to poverty.  This opened my eyes and helped me see some wrong beliefs and attitudes that I held.
• A disturbing account of the Christian church’s lack of response to some of the greatest problems in history.  This leads to the obvious question of whether the church will respond to the global poverty crisis now.  Fair question.
• A compelling call to personal engagement.  Stearns shares his story, but now calls the reader into their own story, their own engagement.

I have to admit that I was a bit cynical when I started to read.  I expected to get to the end and find a tear-jerking ask to support World Vision.  But I was wrong.  Stearns took me on a journey – a personal and private journey of discovery, soul-searching and long talks with God.

I can honestly say, after having finished the book, that I can’t see how anyone could read this book and not be changed.  While I have physically finished the reading part, I am far from understanding and processing the implications for my life.  That’s going to take some time.

I add my voice to those who warned me.  Don’t read this book if you really like your life the way it is.  Read it.  I dare you.