This
slim volume is a collection of devotions. A few are from the Bible
and are excellent.
For
example, there is a meditation entitled Obstacles Strengthen Faith.
The lesson is about Moses. “Whatever our 'slavery' is, we walk with
Moses the uncharted road away from the chains of the past.” There
are several points made as to the reason we experience false starts
and dead ends.
To
Enlarge Our Vision. Moses had a dream but it was too small. God
had to bring him to the wilderness to learn that God's plan for Moses
was much larger.
To
Give Us Specific Training. God knew Moses would need the skills
of a desert sheepherder. Those years in the desert were ones of
preparation for what lay ahead.
To
Reveal Himself. God revealed Himself and gave Moses his true
work.
To
Temper Our Faith. Moses led the people, but not in a straight
line to their destination. A faith that encounters no obstacles
crumbles with the first opposition.
To
Give Us Another Chance. Even at the door of the Promised Land, the
people panicked and ended up with forty more years of training. “The
qualities nurtured and strengthened on desert marches will prove us
fit for life in His kingdom.”
The
meditation ends with the following prayer:
“Lord,
let me learn the lessons of the wilderness through which You are
leading me this month...so that I will be prepared to meet the
future!”
There
are others from the Bible. Elisha suggests our own need for a
spiritual companion who travels the road ahead of us. Jonah reminds
us that God brings back those who stray.
Many
of the devotions are not from the Bible. The gift of a prism causes
awe. Lessons from interviews with noted people. Sherrill draws from
many of her own experiences, such as how they came to write for
Guideposts, and scenes and experiences from their travels. Many of
the devotions are from stories of other people's lives.
I
am not sure I understand the organization of the meditations. The
first ones gave me the impression the readings would roughly go
through the books of the Bible. But then began devotions from life.
Some are quite moving while others are rather routine. Then, about
half way through are Advent devotions. Then Easter week devotions
from the gospels follow, and, after a few others, including another
Christmas one, Pentecost meditations. Then there is a devotion for
Lent. After several routine devotions, one for St. Patrick's Day.
Then one about a January afternoon.
I
think the strength of this book would be for one who is asked to give
a devotion to a group and needs a resource. One of these meditations
could be chosen to read. Too bad there is not some kind of index
included.
Otherwise,
I am not so enthusiastic about this book. A few of the devotions are
inspiring but I found most to be “nice” stories.
For
me, the book did not live up to its title of inspiring me to listen to
God.
Link
to buy the book: http://ow.ly/g1Hxp
Elizabeth
Sherrill has published some 1,500 articles and authored more than
thirty-four books – many written with her husband John. For more
than fifty years, Elizabeth has been a writer and editor for
Guideposts
magazine and a contributor to Daily Guideposts. The Sherrills have
three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They
are occasionally home in a small town in Massachusetts.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from The LitFuse Publicity Group for the purpose of this review.
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