The Shack - First Impressions
During the start of Christmas Break, one of my best friends suggested that I read a book called The Shack by William Paul Young. Little did I know the impact this book would have on me. Upon starting the book, I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to deal with during a time that is supposed to be for celebrating Life with those we love dearly, and yet somehow it was exactly what the Great Physician ordered.
Life has a way of disrupting our plans, our plans for 'good', our plans for 'the happily ever afters'. It doesn't ask permission; it is some what similar to water rushing through a riverbed, it doesn't ask permission to do what it was created to do - flow. The Shack has made me begin to ask questions aloud, I have been afraid of for years. Some of these questions go a little like this:
- Is God really good? Where is this goodness in the midst of untimely death of a child or loved one, in the midst of cancer or disease, in the midst of all kinds of abuse, in the midst of war and injustice?
- Can He be trusted with my life? Why should I trust Him?
- Does He really love me unconditionally?
- Can I be truly loved unconditionally?
- Do I deserve such a love?
- Am I justified in my hurt and anguish when hurt or betrayed by someone I love?
- Don't I have a right to true independence? What role has my 'independence' played in the circumstances of my life?
- Shouldn't I have some sort of Lordship over my life?
- Why should I ever submit to another? What does true relationship look like?
To be honest, the fact that I am even writing these questions is extremely unnerving, yet they seem so timely. Like, this was the time that I was slated to ask these questions and not one moment before. You see, when this friend suggested I read this book, even before they actually said I should read it, I began to look for the book. Three chapters in I received a message saying I should read the book. When I found it, I found a receipt in the cover that showed I bought this book in 2009! In 2014, I had an encounter in Varkala, India that I just can't shake since beginning to reading this book. It's makes me think that preparations were being made for me to read this book.
I have not finished the book as yet but I think its necessary for me to take sometime to reflect on what I have read so far. Some of the things that I am up pondering at 4am in the morning surrounds the idea of independence, being worthy of love and the idea of rights. Without giving too much a way, here are thoughts from the book that are swirling around in my heart:
Independence:
Can Independence as defined by the standards of the world ever lead to fulfilling relationships? Should our focus be on submission instead?
Worthy of Love:
We live in a time when we determine if a person is worthy of our love by what they have do or have done for us. What if the truest form of love occurs when the person who we love cannot do anything for us or when its still unwavering when its the least deserved?
Rights:
In the book it was said that the main character didn't even have the right to finish his own sentence without being interrupted. This made me think, what are rights? Maybe the only right any of us have is the right to live, the right to life?
Although, I am not fully sure why or what it means, this morning as I commit to process these thoughts and questions the following verse brought peace to my troubled heart:
“14. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
As I stated earlier, this is my way of taking time to think about what I have been reading. It is not my intention to ask questions for asking sake, but rather it is my intention to make myself available to receive answers, even the ones I do not like. In 2014, I received a message in Varkala, India that I am being called to just be. The Shack has re-awaken my heart to this.
I would be keen to have a conversation with anyone that has read the book or anyone who would like to start reading the book. Some reading this might think it wild or even too fanciful but I leave you with the words of Sarayu:
Rumors of glory are often hidden inside what many consider myths and tales.