The Shack

So I just...really just in the last couple of minutes...finished the book The Shack written by William P. Young.  A friend suggested the book to me in July and again made the suggestion when I was in Denver, so knowing I was coming back to no power (=no tv) I picked the book up at the Denver airport so I would have something to occupy my time.

On the front cover of the book is the following quote by Eugene Peterson (author of The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language): This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his.  It's that great!"  A recommendation like that from one of my favorite contemporary theologians and I dove right into the book on the flight home.  Something to keep my mind of what I was returning to in South Louisiana after the wrath of Gustav was quite welcome.

At once I was captivated.  The book tells the tale of a father who had put distance between himself and God and the great lengths God goes to remove that distance.  Really, it could be the story of anyone of our lives as we have all taken experiences and things and even people and put them between God and ourselves.  Luckily, those barriers are only between us and God and not between God and us.  And that is part of the wonderful story that is told in the pages penned by Mr. Young.

Like I previously mentioned, I just finished the book and have a bit of processing to do.  It has definitely stuck a chord that I want to listen to more closely before.  But I did want to share with you one of my most favorite quotes from the book.  It comes from an interaction between a character named Papa and the main character Mack.  They are discussing a tough time in Mack's life that has caused him a lot of pain.  Papa responds to Mack's desire to heal with the the following statement.  "Honey, there's no easy answer that will take your pain away.  Believe me, if I had one, I'd use it now.  I have no magic wand to wave over you and make it all better.  Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship."  So life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship.  Definitely, a phrase that stirred my soul.

One suggestion for you as you read this book...be willing to let it take you to the places you might not otherwise have ventured.  You may need a tissue now and then, but no doubt you will have company along with you on your journey.

And by the way, thanks Greg for the suggestion!