The Road We Must Travel

"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest."

Psalm 139:3  TLB

Navigating Uncharted Territory?

Do you ever wish your life had a map that included a highlighted route showing you the way to go?  Do you wish you could ask a mentor for advice about how to maneuver around roadblocks?

From the introduction:
"We can ask all the specifics we like, but it really won't help.  No one knows the precise route each of us will take to the other side.  There may be a clear destination - and thank God for that - but there is no blue highlight marking the course from here to there...We can, however, do this much:  We can make sure we are prepared for the journey, no matter what the route might be.  This book is all about that.  It's not a road atlas, it's more like a travelogue, with strong ideas and helps for navigating life."

The contributors in the book are:

• Gordon MacDonald
• Bill Hybels
• Mark Buchanan
• Nathan Conrad
• Francis Chan
• Eugene Peterson
• Steve May
• Tullian Tchividjian
• Ruth Haley Barton
• Skye Jehtani
• Donald Sunukjian
• Mark Labberton

Some of the topics covered:

1. The Need for Honest Self-Assessment:  Each Week, Debrief With Yourself and God
2. Avoiding Cultural Contamination:  The Necessity of Purity In A Contaminated World
3. Reading the Bible Spiritually:  Ancient Practices Help Us Listen To The Bible, Not Just Study It
4. Bad Situations Are Great Opportunities:  Your Worst Nightmare May Cause Someone Else's Sun To Rise
5. The Crucial Need for Regular Rest:  One Of God's Underused Gifts Is Time To Be Sharpened
6. Yield the Right-of-Way:  Seeing The World As Jesus Sees It
7. See With The Eyes of a Doctor:  Why You Should Move Into Your Neighbor's World

The book is organized into five parts:

• Roadworthy - thinking through core issues that will get you ready for the journey ahead
• Necessary Repairs - pointing ourselves toward truth that will alert us to danger and equip us for the long haul
• Washouts and Detours - dealing with unexpected troubles and unlooked-for hardships that delay our plans or send us off on a bumpy detour through an unfamiliar landscape
• Traveling Light - slowing down and lightening up
• Peripheral Vision - balancing life's most pressing demands with an eye for those along our path who might need a word, a touch, a helping hand, or even just a genuine, from-the-heart smile

Published by Worthy Publishing, The Road We Must Travel is a timely and much needed gospel-centered guide.  My copy of the book has found a permanent place along with my copy of God's word, devotional resources and journal.  And I have a feeling that as time goes on it will look quite weathered and tattered because it will be worth re-visiting over and over again through the coming years.

The conversational tone of each contributor truly gives this book the feel of an encouraging gospel infused talk with a friend along the way of life's journey.  This will be one I visit often and I think you would be blessed to get yourself a copy!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from Leeanna Case for the purpose of this review in conjunction with the First Look Blog Tour.

Blessings fellow traveler,
Jennifer