Courageous Joy

*The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus*

Hmmm...how to sum up this book? If I have one book I've read this year that I would want all to read: THIS little book is it. Krista, our 19 yo, gave this book to me to read. She said it reminded her of me - and I am humbled by her observation. I'm not sure I live up to her observation, but I wholeheartedly desire to live up to her observation. {watery smile}

Erwin McCmanus begins this little book by attempting to define for us, in vivid pictures, what the barbarian way looks like. He begins by telling us of Robert the Bruce, who died in 1329, at the age of 54. Robert the Bruce requested that his heart be removed from his body and taken on a crusade with a worthy knight. James Douglas wears the heart of his king in a small container around his neck from that time forward. He carried the heart of his king into every battle he fought. Legend tells us of an ill-fated battle where death was certain and imminent. Douglas removed the heart of the king, threw it into the midst of the enemy's line, and yelled, "Fight for the heart of your king!" One historian quotes Douglas as shouting, "Forward, brave heart, as ever thou were won't to do, and Douglas will follow his king's heart or die!" The motto of the Douglas clan to this day is reported to simply be "Forward". {Note the author takes time to be sure that we are not glorifying the crusades in any way.}

This picture resonates with me. Our Father came and gave His heart. He now longs for those who will follow His heart into enemy territory and fight for His heart and the heart of those who are lost. This is a call to follow the Heart of the King wholeheartedly - rather than content ourselves with civilized religion. It is so much my desire to follow my King's heart.

This is a quick read. It's profound. You may not agree with everything in the book, but it is sure to call you to your knees.

If you have youth raised in the church, who may be a bit bored by "church", I highly recommend this book. I think it presents truth in a way that will resonate with this generation. I remain convinced that this generation is looking for something worth giving their life to and worthy dying for. This book goes a long way in presenting Christ as that way.....to our shame many churches have succeeded in "taming Christ" and making Him very unappealing to a hurting world. We have succeeded in civilizing the Gospel to the point that it no longer calls as something that requires our very lives...and therefore our youth continue to search. I encourage you to get a copy of this book and read it with your husband. If you agree with my analysis, pass it off to your youth. Be prepared for a revolution in your home....

From the back of the book: Two thousand years later the call to follow Christ has been repackaged to be smooth and trouble-free, filled with opportunity and promise but lacking risk, passion, and sacrifice. Is this really what Jesus died for? If he chose the way of the cross, where would He hesitate leading us? Is it possible that to follow Jesus is to choose the barbarian way?

Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper or safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far from the easy road. It is a path filled with adventure, uncertainty, and unlimited possibilities - the only path that can fulfill the deepest longings and desires of your heart.

This the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God. To go where He send you, no matter the cost.