The Shack

I have never come across a book that speaks so much to me (apart from "Heaven is so real"). It's truly an amazing story that touched my heart and I would like to share it with you. (I was up till 4.15AM this morning reading this book)

The Shack by William P. Young
When I first read it, I thought it was a true story. The author started of by saying he knew Mack (the star in the story) for more than 20 years. As you read on, you feel as if you understand a tiny weeny bit of how God works (of course no human can fully comprehend God), how God could heal a broken bitter heart just by having a loving relationship with man. God intended good for His people but we chose to be independent, to be away from God's Light.

Here are some of the things I learn from this book:

1. Many people (including me) think that we know God, His goodness and His love for us, but in actual fact, God is far more than that, above and beyond all that we can ask and think. (pg 98)

2. God knows everything, even before we speak, he knows. When we tell him things, he listens out of respect for us. It's like - we don't play a game with a child to show that we are better. Instead, we choose to limit ourselves so as to facilitate and honour that relationship. We even lose in a game to accomplish love. (pg 106)

3. There's no hierarchy among God. God is in a circle of relationship not a chain of command. It's us humans who made up hierarchy and cause so much problems. We are governed by rules and regulations that end up destroying relationship rather than to promote it. (pg 122-123)

4. God respects our choice, so He work within our systems even while He seek to free us from them. (pg 123)

5. God creates everything that exists and human beings can only take what already exists and from it, fashion into something different. Poisonous plants, stinging nettles and the likes are all part of what we called science, for us to discern and discover and to explore the wonders of God's creation. Just like playing hide and seek. (pg 132)

6. What do we determine as good and what do we do we determine as bad? It is we who determines them and in our small minds, judged what is good and bad. It allowed us to play God in our independence. (pg 136) And by being independent, we have separated ourselves from God.

7. God had never taken control of our choices, even when what we were about to do is destructive or hurtful. To force His will on us is what love DOES NOT do. (pg 145)

8. With Wisdom, everything is perfectly normal. Because we are so lost and independent, we bring Wisdom many complications and we find her simplicity profound. (pg 172)

9. God's idea of His bride is not a man-made institution, rather individuals who together form a spiritual city. His Church is all about people and life is all about relationship. (Pg 177-178)

10. Those who love God comes from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats or Republicans.. etc. All roads does not lead to God, but God will travel on any road to find us. (WOW!) (Pg 182)

11. Grace does not depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering, you will find grace in many facets and colours. (Pg 185)

12. You have to read Chapter 14 yourself... It's really very interesting..

13. Forgiving those who caused you grief. The only way true forgiveness is ever possible is for God's presence to be in us. (pg 226)

It's fiction but let this book speak to you like it did to me. :)

God still love us very much, no matter how messed up we are. If we allow God to be King and Lord or our lives, we have to learn to let go and fully trust in Him no matter what circumstances we are facing. God is full of goodness, and only good can come out from Him. Let go and let God love you.