Seizing Your Divine Moment: Dare to Live a Life of Adventure [Hardcover]

Here's an example. McManus was in a room with a man recently let out of prison. There was nobody else around. The other man pulled a knife which he had already used on someone else's throat (remember, this is not fiction). Seems to me like a good time to run. But McManus shocked both men in the room by saying, "William, that knife is going to send you to hell!" Though the tension was rising, it was now startled and derailed. This doesn't mean YOU shouldn't run if someone pulls a knife on YOU. I think the point is that we all have moments when we can either slink away and miss a chance to do something good, or we can stand firm and work with God as he works to penetrate the globs of darkness we bump into every day.

Throughout this book, McManus weaves a Bible story about Jonathan. Jonathan was the son of Israel's first king, King Saul. At one point, King Saul's army was wildly outnumbered and likely to be destroyed by the Philistines. Jonathan decided that God was on Israel's side, so he acted on that faith, seized his divine moment, and triggered a rout of the Philistine army. While not all of our experiences will match the dramatics of Jonathan's, the principle holds true. We can succumb to fear, take the course of least resistance, and accomplish little. Or, we can recognize that, as Henry Blackaby wrote, "God is always at work around you" and "invites you to become involved with Him in His work."

Thoreau wrote that most men lead lives of quiet desperation. I don't want to be one of those men. McManus gives me Bible-based ammunition to fight boldly, moment by moment, against a drab, irrelevant existence. If this resonates with you at all, then I recommend a slow and thoughtful reading of this book.

McManus draws you into the books and challenges you to live the way he does.

Weaving the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer attacking the Philistine army, Erwin McManus will challenge you to do the same. Not only does he suggest that you take the battle to the enemy, but he thinks that you should lead the charge. If you do God will move with you, others will follow, and those Christians who have fled for the hills may come to your aid. Wow - that is a pretty big challenge to think about.

Personally, this book has caused me to do some focused thinking about my role in God's Kingdom. If it will get you to do the same, it is worth the read. I highly recommend this book to all Christians who can hear God calling them to a higher place, but are not quite sure how to get there. If you are a happy Christian comfortable in the safe place where you are - do not read this book. It may just cause you to pick up the sword and start your own battle.