Max Lucado reminds us that it's not about us, it's ALL about God. The world does not revolve around us nor are we the center of the universe. Misconceptions that we are taught by society throughout our lives. But the rest of the title " Rescue From The Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy" sets the premise for this non-fiction, once again wonderfully written book by Max Lucado. He has such a way with words and story telling with humor and wisdom combined. It's not hard to tell that he is one of my all time favorite authors, even if the last book I read of his was so long ago "He Chose the Nails"; I do receive his UpWords weekly and there is one available daily and MP3s of 1minute messages. So when the opportunity to select one of his books in e-book form came, it was a welcome and a blessing for me, which I read in one sitting. I have so many parts highlighted, I'm not sure where to best begin telling you what I like. Yet I will emphasize that this is a timely book for me and I boldly would say for YOU."It's Not about Me" is wisely divided into two parts: God Pondering and God Promoting. "We move through me-focus to God-focus by pondering Him. Witnessing Him. Following..." this centers us on a life that works: God centered and rescues us from the one that doesn't: self-centered, self-ish. Whatever "self" you want to add... works for us to leave this behind and behold God.
I love how Max than distinguishes between "beholding" and "reflecting" God. This is even wisely carried over in the excellent, though provoking study guide included in the back, written by Steven Halliday. Each chapter is separated into two sections: Beholding and then Reflecting.
The reason these two words are important is because different translations accurately use this for "katoptrizo"... but you'll have to read his book to clearly understand. Yet, I see that it is crucial
to know since it is our human job description to REFLECT GOD'S GLORY! This is summed up beautifully by Max in these words: "Beholding leads to becoming. Becoming leads to reflecting."
Then Max proceeds to show us that God's message we are to mirror through: our message, our salvation, our body, our struggles, our success - all proclaim God's glory. "God sends the message, we mirror it." This takes us through the God-promoting part with each of these mirrored parts toward upward thinking. We exist to give honor to God's Name and a cleverly written exchange of a discussion between him and a Jewish passenger with Max on a flight.
The ending brought a tear to my eyes and a sweet nod of HOPE preceded by this sound, BOLD statement that expresses the heart of many of us (I hope):
"MAY WE HAVE NO HIGHER GOAL THAN TO SEE SOMEONE THINK MORE HIGHLY OF OUR FATHER, OUR KING."
I strongly encourage you to get a hold of a copy of this book to BEHOLD HIM CHANGING US:
"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
[we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord "
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
[we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord "
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
IT'S NOT ABOUT ME ~ It's ALL about HIM!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
