Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

Lucado wants his readers to make a difference in this world. “God has given this generation, our generation, everything we need to alter the course of human suffering.” (6) We Christians have the opportunity to make a big difference during this time of difficulty. We are encouraged to find our area of passion and act. Lucado inspires us with stories of ordinary individuals who have made a difference in the world.

He takes the readers through the first chapters of Acts when a small band of believers changed the world.
We are ordinary, flawed people, just like the early disciples. Like them, we can work together and be hospitable. We can stop and take time to see deeply into a person and feel compassion for those in need. We are encouraged to be prepared for persecution and face it with boldness.
Lucado warns against hypocrisy, of doing good to be seen and appreciated. Rather, we are to work quietly. We are encouraged to recognize our own abundance and stand up for those who have not. “The ultimate solution to poverty is found in the compassion of God’s people.” (105)
Lucado wants us to break down the barriers that separate us, to not write off anyone, and to pray earnestly. He concludes by reminding us that to do good to others is to do it to Jesus.
Lucado is a gifted wordsmith. He is unique in his ability to create short and snappy sentences full of impact. Sometimes he is so clever at writing that the weight of his message is secondary. If you’ve read Radical or Hole in Our Gospel, this book will seem to be “discipleship lite.” Nonetheless, it is an encouragement to, “Get out of your comfort zone for Christ’s sake.” (106)
I found the best part of the book to be at the end – a discussion guide with ideas for action. Using that guide within an accountability group would transform this book from “discipleship lite” to one that is life changing.

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.