By John Eldredge
I read my first John Eldredge book in the early 2000’s, devouring both Wild At Heart and Waking The Dead. I was attracted to his uncanny ability to put into words the experience of my life, his use of “story” whether it be written or descriptive scenes from movies to illustrate a spiritual truth, and his sincere commitment to pointing me to the truth of God’s Word for the transformation I so desperately desired.
His book, Moving Mountains: Praying with Passion, Confidence and Authority was a game-changer for me in regard to my personal prayer life. The “Daily Prayer” Eldredge shared in the book became a grid and guide for my prayer life I continue to use several years later.
I’m currently reading his most recent book, Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul In These Turbulent Times, and once again sense God deeply at work in me as I read.
Yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend who is very concerned about the current trajectory of events in our world. He regularly watches the latest You Tube videos from his current obsession about the coming cataclysmic end of our world.
This man deeply loves Jesus. And while he doesn’t seem to live in a state of dread, fear or panic, I wonder if he’s sacrificing strength, peace, power and resilience because his perspective is being more shaped by YT videos than the truth of God’s Word.
The central thesis of Eldredge’s book is as follows:
“Our longing for life to be good again will be the battleground for our heart. How [we] shepherd this precious longing, and if [we] shepherd it at all, will determine your fate in this life and in the life to come.” —John Eldredge, Resilient
In his book, Eldredge consistently keeps pointing us back to the truth of God’s Word and application of that truth as a way we can shepherd our heart in a God-honoring, strength-building, resilient-creating way.
I haven’t finished the book yet. I’m still reading. But wanted to post these thoughts, because if you’re like me, you’re ready for refreshment and renewal…even or especially, REVIVAL. This book is like an awesome conversation with a good, kind, wise, God-honoring friend who honors where you’ve been and where you are, but gently leads you to where you can and should go. (By the way, I’m reading the Kindle version of the book as I listen to the Audible version. In the Audiobook, Eldredge occasionally shares commentary that is really helpful. If possible, I recommend reading and listening.)
Thank you, John, for another excellent book.
I highly recommend Resilient.