Erwin Raphael McManus

McManus has yet to write a book that does not make me think. Honestly, I stumbled upon this book in a used bookstore. It was tucked in backwards on the shelf, hardly even seen. I might have skipped over it had I not pulled a book right next to it.

Arrows....for me the arrow has always been a symbol along with the feather in my spiritual jouney. It has reminded me often that I am no alone of the journey. It has been a reminder that I am not weak because of the trauma I have walked through. It has been a symbol of strength, purpose, direction, action. The arrow......it has been my secret weapon.

McManus addresses the need to give all of who we are and what we are in this life. We are living now not only for the present but for the future.

In the end - after 6 years on the mission field in an area filled apathy and extreme challenges I had shelved so much of myself. I had become self-limiting and doubtful, even unsure of my own convictions and giftings. It was not that I questioned God but I questioned myself and my ability to do what God wanted me to do.

McManus reminded me that We have a choice. I will unapologetically fire all my arrows. I will pursue life and God with abandon and without regret. And I will allow others to do what it is they want. But for me - your beliefs about me, my abilities, my capabilities, my gifts - they no longer matter.

This did take me longer to read because I found myself with a journal and pen at my side throughout the reading. And...unlike most of my books this one can't be shared, the book itself is filled with thoughts, prayers, desperate pleadings of my soul to the heart of God, wonderings of my mind, questions about my purpose, my journey and my life. It is for all intents and purposes a representation of a spiritual journey or re-awakening. It will be eventually packed into a box with all my other journals, writings and Bibles and maybe years after I am gone the impact that McManus had on my life will be rediscovered and hopefully those who pore over the pages of that book will be able to see evidence of the change in my life and make changes in their own.… (altro)