I’m really not a fan of most non-fiction, and definitely not of self-help books. However, I was offered a chance to review You Were Born For This (7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles) by Bruce Wilkinson and David Kopp. I’ve read Wilkinson’s The Prayer of Jabez, and, while a little long for what is essentially a page of information, I found it to be useful. So, expecting to get a different version of The Purpose Driven Life, and thinking that I’d be able to read it while on jury duty, I took the opportunity.
Now, I just want to reiterate that I am NOT a fan of non-fic or self-help. A friend of mine who is a fan of both is also reviewing this book, and she absolutely loves it. Possibly the fact that I’m trying to read it during a time that I would normally be reading fluff books instead of while bored at jury duty is influencing my feelings on this book. Unfortunately, the feeling that is most pronounced to me is… boredom.
While I thought the tiny little book The Prayer of Jabez was too long for its content, I feel that You Were Born For This should be the size of The Prayer of Jabez. Seriously. I also have problems with anyone who prescribes or suggests steps or formulas for anything to do with their walk with God. Jesus came to release us from the law, no? Then why is everyone trying to shove us back in there?
Granted, I truly do understand that this book is not intended to be a formula for miracles. I realize that the “keys” are really just totally opening yourself to let God take over your life, as you’re supposed to do. And the miracles he’s talking about are not the making the lame to walk and the blind to see kind of miracles. However, every time he mentions miracles, all I can think of is that people were healed when Paul’s shadow fell on them. Was Paul concentrating really hard on listening to what God told him to do when that happened? Maybe. I mean, we ARE supposed to listen to God. But what it really was, was the Holy Spirit moving through him.
I don’t know, I realize that where I’m coming from, and where Mr. Wilkinson is coming from is not the same place. It IS an uplifting book, and it can certainly help you to decide to let God take over. If you’re the sort of reader who appreciates someone taking the long way round a subject and repeating the same thing over and over but in different ways, you would appreciate this book. But if you’re the sort of person (like me) who tends to say “get on with it already!”, then, I’d give this a miss.
If you’re interested, you can order the book directly through Random House, or click the book photo above to go to Amazon to order.
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Word Vixen,
You are spot on with this review. I’ve looked at the first few pages exhaustively, and find little to no biblical support for Wilkinson’s claim that each of us can be involved in a miracle of God’s every day.
Formulaic? Yup. Biblical? Nope.
Chris
Chris, I definitely agree with him that we should be open to being used by God, and even that we should ask to be used by him. And the thing is, what one of us may not notice, someone else may consider a miracle. So, I can see his point. I just think that the whole thing is a bit off balance. I understand that you can’t be wishy washy in a non-fiction book, but the two books of his that I read (ok, Prayer of Jabez is a booklet, and I only read half of this book) make each subject sound like it’s the end all be all of understanding God’s plan for your life. Maybe I just have a problem with his presentation? I just think that if you’re not deep in the word to start with, reading a book like this may throw you off more than help.
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