The Shack

Many people will tell you, I love to read books. Some of my friends and I have started up a book club were we read at least 5 novels in a year. One day my mom said to me, "You have to read this book one of my friend's put me onto." She was very excited and there was just this fire in her eyes like fireworks went off just by saying this book name. I thought to myself maybe I should really read this book and then she said it was a book about a man meeting God in a shack. At first I was turned off because I thought to myself, "God doesn't just come and meet anyone," and also I have questioned many things about why God has let things happen to me in my life. Then my mom came home one day and told me she bought me a novel, "The Shack" by William Paul Young. So, no excuses and I had to read it.

Before reading this novel, I had pre-assumptions about God and I love to rebel against someone with so many rules. I started reading the book and I could hardly put it down. I learned so much things about God, my faith and relationship has become so much deeper. Here are a few things I learned:

(A) I'm 28 and I have never been married. Many people look at me as an old-maid, but I'm just hesitant about marriage because I'm always seeing the worst of marriages and 54% of marriages end in divorces. This is what God says about marriage, "Marriage is not an institution. It's a relationship. I don't create institutions; that's an occupation for those who want to play God."(pg. 181) When I saw this, my mouth dropped. People have made me feel as though, marriage was this grand club that only a few people get invited to, that's if someone loves you enough to put a ring on it. My view on marriage has turned from a woman who vowed to never get married to a woman who wants to get married whenever the right man shows up.

(B) I don't like people who say they are "Religious", and God doesn't like them either. "So, no I'm not too big on religion, and not very fond of politics and economics either. Put simply, these terrors are tools that many people prop up illusions of security and control. People are afraid of uncertainty, afraid of the future. These institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn't any. It's false! Systems cannot provide you security, only I can." (pgs. 181-182) Now, I did a double take when reading this passage. It was like all the Christian teachings I was taught just went out the door.

(C) Now this passage will shock you: "Why do you think we came up with the Ten Commandments? Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently. But can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That's why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you-so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands-'Thou shall not...'--actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you."(pg. 204) When I read this, it just felt like a whole weight was taken off my shoulders. I no longer feel so bad when I don't always share my sin to someone or when I don't go to church every day of the week. My faith and bond with God has become much deeper at this moment.

(D) This is what God had to say about life: "It's simple, Mack. It's all about relationships and simply sharing life. My church is all about people, and life is all about relationships. You can't  build it. It's my job...."(pg. 180) I couldn't believe life is this simple. We always seem to complicate things and make them harder than what they seem.

I finally was able to understand God by reading this book. It has touched and changed my life in a great way. I learned who I am as a person and if it is good enough for God, I know it is good for anyone. The one thing that I was trying to find and thought I could never obtain, I feel so complete. No more hole in my life. I hope you will eventually read this novel and I pray that it touches and change your life in the best way. Thanks!