It's titled everPresent, and is a new perspective on why we feel the way we do in this discombobulated, hurting, broken, world and how we can approach being followers of Christ in the spaces we live life. It's divided into two parts, the first being more theoretical and theological, focusing on where we are spiritually and where we were meant to be--present. It was a brand new idea for me, this take on our presence and place and I was challenged by it. One of the most powerful moments came when the author was writing about how our Christian doctrine sometimes overemphasizes the spiritual, almost ignoring the importance of the material, physical, here-and-now of life. We can trust that the material is in fact important by considering the fact that:
God doesn't simply rapture people up to heaven as soon as they are saved. If we buy into the dualistic competition of spiritual and material then it would only seem logical for God to drop the material stuff as soon as possible so we could get on with the greater and better spiritual phase of our existence. However, if we believe that both physical and spiritual are important, integral parts of who we are as creatures then we need, by necessity, both spiritual and material restoration. (Page 37)
I thought, cool. God is about restoring, redeeming, saving, and helping, and he leaves us here on earth to make sure we get the opportunity to experience those things and be a hard to lead others there as well. Because we are here, we need to really be HERE.
Part two of the book was the practical application part. My fav. It discussed how we inhabit four spaces and we can serve, worship, and live out our God-given purpose in each. How can we be everPresent in those places, just like the God we serve is? For instance, in our homes, we are to raise up children in the ways of The Lord. In our work, work and do everything, as if we are serving our King. In the third spaces, or social environments, be active, engaged, outward-reaching. And in our cities, be a contributing citizen. I agree 100%. He states very poignantly:
Our homes, our workplaces, our social environments become little embassies of the King we represent, Christ. (Page 40)
Overall, I would recommend this book to a friend. I need to do less face-booking, and more face-to-face, more listening, engaging, loving, and serving. Just like Jesus.
You can find it here:
- ebook ($2.99) -http://store.gospelcentereddiscipleship.com/products/everpresent-how-the-gospel-relocates-us-in-the-present (the link won’t go live until Monday morning at 1am).
- paperback ($6.49) - http://www.amazon.com/everPresent-How-Gospel-Relocates-Present/dp/0615989020/