Those of you who know me well know that words are my life. I don't just read for knowledge, information or entertainment; I let every word I read sit in my mouth so that I may savor its imagery. I am not one who typically loves a top-seller or commercial read (couldn't really get hooked on The Davinci Code, for instance) , but every once in a while, I find a book in such category that really grips me. One such recent selection has been The Shack by William P. Young.
Now, let me first say that, though most reviews of this book have deemed it nothing less than stellar, some people do find offense reading it. This is primarily because God is portrayed as (gasp) a woman throughout most of the book, although this portrayal later changes. Mr. Young has a good reason in doing this, but I won't explain, as this would reveal too much of the plot for anyone who might want to read the book. Also, some people have tried to pick at details in the book, complaining that some aspects do not line up precisely with the Bible. I am not a Biblical scholar, yet I do know the Bible well enough that I did notice some slight deviances. However, those small, wayward moments in the book were non-offensive and very menial compared to the absolutely beautiful story of God's love.
Though I certainly see God as omniscient and all-powerful, my view of God is primarily that of daddy and friend. I often find a pillow, close my eyes, rest my head on the pillow, and then imagine that it is God's lap. I imagine God comforting me in his lap just as I comfort my little ones in my lap. There, resting my head on God's lap, I talk to Him much like I would talk to my dad, and He, in turn, gives me comfort and love that is unimaginable. That comfort and love is very real to me. When I'm talking to God in this way, I feel like it is just Him and me. This book portrays God in a very personal and individualized way, and that is why I loved it so much.
I recommend you all go out and buy a copy of The Shack. I bought mine at Lifeway, although I'm sure you can find it at any bookstore, as it is a New York Times bestseller. I hope you all are touched by it as I was.
Now, let me first say that, though most reviews of this book have deemed it nothing less than stellar, some people do find offense reading it. This is primarily because God is portrayed as (gasp) a woman throughout most of the book, although this portrayal later changes. Mr. Young has a good reason in doing this, but I won't explain, as this would reveal too much of the plot for anyone who might want to read the book. Also, some people have tried to pick at details in the book, complaining that some aspects do not line up precisely with the Bible. I am not a Biblical scholar, yet I do know the Bible well enough that I did notice some slight deviances. However, those small, wayward moments in the book were non-offensive and very menial compared to the absolutely beautiful story of God's love.
Though I certainly see God as omniscient and all-powerful, my view of God is primarily that of daddy and friend. I often find a pillow, close my eyes, rest my head on the pillow, and then imagine that it is God's lap. I imagine God comforting me in his lap just as I comfort my little ones in my lap. There, resting my head on God's lap, I talk to Him much like I would talk to my dad, and He, in turn, gives me comfort and love that is unimaginable. That comfort and love is very real to me. When I'm talking to God in this way, I feel like it is just Him and me. This book portrays God in a very personal and individualized way, and that is why I loved it so much.
I recommend you all go out and buy a copy of The Shack. I bought mine at Lifeway, although I'm sure you can find it at any bookstore, as it is a New York Times bestseller. I hope you all are touched by it as I was.
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