Outlive Your Life
You Were Made to Make a Difference
Author: Max Lucado
Max Lucado encourages everyone to look beyond themselves, beyond their own little world. He begs us to actually "see" those in need around us and even far away and to commit to doing something about it. You can't do everything for everyone; but, you can do something for someone.
Max Lucado is an amazing author. This book is no exception. God made us for a purpose. He has a plan for us. He wants our deeds of kindness to outlive our lives. Our lives are short here on Earth; but the acts of kindness can have a ripple effect that we may never even know.
Make a conscious effort to truly "see" those that you come into contact with. Don't see the color of their skin, their religion, their mistakes. See their hearts, their potential, their needs. If you have seen the movie, "Avatar", you may remember how the tribe members greet each other by saying, "I see you." Max mentions this as well. "In certain Zulu areas of South Africa, people greet each other with a phrase that means 'I see you.' Change begins with a genuine look. And continues with a helping hand."
Max offers practical ideas and suggestions. Ways to overcome our fears, prejudices, and hang-ups. Simple ideas to get us started, with one small change at a time.
"So how can we prepare ourselves? Simple. Imitate the disciples. Linger long and often in the presence of Christ. Meditate on His grace. Ponder His love. Memorize His words. Gaze into His face. Talk to Him. Courage comes as we live with Jesus." These are Max's words of encouragement and wisdom to get you started. And it sounds like a very good place to start to me.
Max does give a very important warning. Make sure you do these things for the glory of God. Not for the praise of man. God hates hypocrisy. Remember Annanias and Sapphira? Right, not a very happy ending. So make sure your heart is in the right place. "Hypocrisy turns people against God. So God has a no-tolerance policy. Let the cold, lifeless bodies of the embezzling couple issue their intended warning. Let's take hypocrisy as seriously as God does."
This book has truly challenged me to move out of my comfort zone, out of my own little world. To make more of a conscious effort to outlive my life. Sure I have done a little here and there. But honestly, it was just a little. And after reading this book, I so want it to be more than just a little.
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I've been wanting to read this ever since K*Love had Max Lucado on talking about the book. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteThis book quotes some staggering numbers, the number of poor, and hungry is something that's hard to imagine. Mr Lucado's book gives us a wake up call as to what we can do to make a change.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be rich or even well off, instead of focusing on what you don't have to give, focus on what you can give. It's that average Joe that makes a difference, the little things that add up.
I really enjoyed his use of scripture throughout this book and liked how he started each chapter with a scripture verse and ended the chapters with another scripture and a prayer.
This is a very simply written book that can change your way of thinking, its very inspiring, a book that you wont be able to put down and will continue to think about long after you finish it.