Two days ago I learned I have to go back to work earlier than I had originally planned. My short-term disability stops paying at 100% at the end of this week, so I’m going back on Monday. My doctor released me, and I am physically ready to go back since I don’t have any heavy lifting on my job. I have started driving as well, and recovery is going well.
I have to admit I’m a little bummed and not completely emotionally ready for the transition. Hopefully I will be by Monday! I have enjoyed spending my spare time reading and bird-watching, just kicking back and doing nothing, taking a nap when I want to, and now my “vacation” seems to be cut short. But as the saying goes…all good things do come to an end. Fortunately I like my job, so it’s not such a bad thing.
Still reading books, so I am on to my second book review. This book is not for the faint of heart! I had to stop and digest some of the key points along the way.
This book is titled The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within, by Erwin R. McManus (2005, Thomas Nelson Publishers). I literally could have written down every word in the book on my notepad, as he has so many interesting quips and sayings, but I tried to stick with the highlights. This was a very intriguing book, and a quick read, so you might want to pick it up for yourself.
The basic premise is that we have become “civilized” in our Christian lives, forgetting how to fight for the Christian cause. He poses we need to learn how to become barbarians as we unleash the raw faith that is inside of us. While I didn’t agree with all of his philosophies, I appreciated his intent and the overall premise of the book. I do think we have become complacent in our “religiosity.” The book stirred something in me to want to do more for Christ. Here are some key points I gleaned from McManus.
1) “But then the worst thing happened that could happen to any fighter, you got civilized.” –Mick to Rocky, Rocky III. This is a powerful opening to the book. He says, “we have lost the simplicity of our early faith. Beyond that, we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untamed and primal faith.” If you are a Christian there is within you a raw and untamed faith waiting to be unleashed.
2) “Jesus did not suffer and die so we could build for ourselves havens, but so that we might expand the kingdom of his love.” This is an indictment on churches who build buildings so they can feel comfortable, rather than going into the world and getting their hands dirty.
3) “The barbarian way is not about violence fueled by vengeance and hatred. The barbarian way is about love expressed through sacrifice and servanthood.” Sacrifice is the key word here.
4) This one really hits home… “The barbarian call is not fair or equitable. It is not a cattle call.” In John 21:22 when Peter asked what would happen to John, Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Your path is yours and yours alone. Remember Peter died a martyr’s death, and John … no one knows for sure if he died or was just taken to heaven like Elijah. Life and what Christ calls us to is not always fair or equitable in our eyes.
5) Pay attention – this one is good, related to #4 above. “Civilized Christianity claims a group plan negotiated with God where everyone gets the John plan and no one gets Peter’s.” Think about that for a moment! I had cancer. I didn’t get the “John plan.” There is no guarantee my life will be long or easy. This is my journey and while many may say “why God?” I have to believe there is a greater purpose behind it all.
6) “God would never choose for us safety at the cost of significance. God created you so your life would count, not so you can count the days of your life.” This is the opposite of what I heard my mother say growing up (and still today, actually). Be careful…take it easy…don’t do it if it isn’t “safe”… stop if it gets too hard (my paraphrase). She means well. We all want our children to be safe, but what are we teaching them about taking risks for the Kingdom? God wants us to risk all for him.
7) The biblical word for witness is actually the word for martyr.
8) “Innovation is a life skill. When we’re surrounded by civilization, innovation tends to be motivated by boredom. When we are barbarians trying to reach barbarians, innovation is motivated by love. Are you an innovator or an early adopter” (adopting what others innovate)?
9) “The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go. The civilian Christian has a routine; the barbarian Christian has a mission. A life in God is one of risk and mystery…and maybe even a little insanity.”
10) “There are many who have grown up in a church and have been effectively Christianized but have never genuinely met Christ.” This one made me very sad, but it is so true!
11) “Domesticated Christians are far too willing to abdicate the battle for the soul of the world.”
12) On parenting – “we raise our children in the cocoon of a domesticated faith and wonder why they run as far as they can to find adventure.” WOW! Let’s find something to risk with our children, and instill in them a sense of adventure while they are still in our homes. II Timothy 1:5-9 is a good reference for this.
13) “The civilized Christian does what is right out of fear; the barbarian Christian does what is right out of love.”
14) Born again – we are dropped into a war zone, not a maternity ward. We are not helpless and dependent as we were with our first birth, so we shouldn’t treat new believers as though we need to “Christianize” them. Allow their barbarian faith to press forward to fight the spiritual battle and win others.
15) “Stay off the paved road.”
If you have any additional thoughts about The Barbarian Way, please comment below! I’d love to hear what you think.
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I’m on to my third book. This one is a teen novel selected by my daughter. I won’t write a book review as it’s just for fun, however she claims this is one her favorite books. It’s called Coffeehouse Angel, about a high school girl who is visited by an angel. I’m enjoying the read and learning more about my daughter’s interests in the process. If you want to get to know your kid, engage in their interests!
À la prochaine (Until next time) …