Chapter one begins with an illustration of a Sequoias tree that fell out in California. The tree has been around for years, and they wondered what caused its demise. Turns out it was foot traffic damaging the root system. So the park officials came up with a policy of fencing in some of the oldest, largest, and most historically significant trees. He uses this illustration to show how we too, can become overwhelmed and worn out by the daily cares of life. "It was a sacred enclosure around my roots that saved me from falling." (Page 19)
My first impression in reading this was, just what we need to do as Christians, put up more fences between us and the world around us. But I don't think that is what he means. "Foot traffic wears on us. We can't evade most of it, and that's not really the solution anyway." (Page 19) So the fence isn't necessarily there to keep life out, as much as it is to keep us connected to God.
I guess it all becomes a means and end situation for me. Reading the Bible is a means to an end, but sometimes we make it an end in itself, like we do with so many other things in Christianity. Just like the law was a means to an end, but the teachers of the law made it an end in itself.
The author closes with a promise: "If you will develop a daily self-feeding program from the Bible and allow yourself to be daily, hourly mentored by God's Holy Spirit, your life will undergo an unprecedented change for the better." (Page 22) Is that a money-back guarantee?
That, in my opinion, is a huge promise. One that the author has no right to make. The end is God, and God can open hearts who don't read his book, as well as He can leave closed those who do. God's word is living and active, but let's leave the results in God's hands.
1 comment:
I have to agree with you. Over the top promises in books never produce the intended behaviors but produce discouragement instead.
Post a Comment