Noteworthy

Today I finished a book that will now be added to my list of most important books I have read.  There are two books on that list so far, both of which I have read in the last six months: Love Wins and The Chronicles of Narnia (which I think of as one book, though there are many, since the copy I own is one large book that contains the entire series).  The book that was added to the list the second I finished today is The Shack.  I am so thankful for storytellers like C.S. Lewis and William Paul Young who are using the gifts God has blessed them with to bless others. 

I have two main reasons for loving these stories, neither of which is the storytelling itself, though I do treasure the beauty of how each story is told.  My first reason is that these stories bring me freedom.  They free my mind from trying to understand all the mysteries of God on its own.  They make big ideas, such as heaven, forgiveness, and the trinity, more accessible to my scope of understanding.  The stories, while making big concepts simpler and easier for me to understand, also bring color and life to such concepts.  This is part of what I mean by helping me to understand.  Stories make concepts tangible, and in a way they give me experiences to draw on.  Even though those experiences belong to the characters within the story, I am invited to share in them.  The second reason is that they enrich my relationship with God.  Any story about how God is interacting with others grows my love for Him, and The Shack is no different.  In fact, The Shack has especially grown my love for God. 

If you haven’t yet, please read The Shack.  Any question I can think of that I have heard asked of God is answered in this beautiful story.  In this book, God teaches about forgiveness and healing, answers the main characters questions about why there are mosquitoes, and helps solve the problem of pain.  Here are some of my favorite quotes, including the ones I have posted on Facebook over the last few days:

“Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship.”

“So many believe that it is love that grows, but it is the knowing that grows and love simply expands to contain it.  Love is just the skin of knowing.”

“Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself – to serve.”

“Do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is usually dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?”

“Darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets.  The truth is they are more shadow than reality so they seem bigger in the dark.”

“Pearls.  The only precious stone made by pain, suffering, and death.”

“Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.”

“Oh, child.  Don’t ever discount the wonder of your tears.  They can be healing waters and a stream of joy.  Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak.”

And, my favorite, “If anything matters then everything matters.  Because you are important, everything you do is important.  Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart of a life, the world changes; with every kind service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again.”

What books are you thankful were written?  Which are in part responsible for your current relationship with God?  Which have set you free?  Which have changed your way of thinking? 

Do yourself a favor, and add the Shack to your list.