Sunday, January 29, 2017

Treasures in Dark Places

It was a life-changing revelation to me when I realized that in God's Kingdom I was NOT just one of the crowd, as I had grown up surmising.

I am unique  - a one-of-a-kind creation.
I am made in His image for His wonderful purposes.
Because God took the care to make me someone He knows by name ... I know He also knows every detail about me.
He knows how I work,
He knows what interests me,
He knows what gets my attention,
He knows what motivates me,
He knows what excites me,
He knows what delights me !
It is all this He takes into consideration when He plans the path of my life -
when He chooses those things that will best teach me what I need to know,
when He allows those circumstances/events/trials into my life that will mature me without breaking me,
when He comes to me in relationship and fellowship, when He draws me into friendship with Him.

I am not alone in being so chosen !
Every one of God's children can boast of the same uniqueness.
Since  I am a ferocious reader, I have read  many people's life-journeys of faith and how God worked in and through them. One thing is common in all of them - whether they lived in Bible times or in the thousands of years after Acts -  their stories all are of a personal nature, fitted to their personalities and purposes.
Just when I think, I can't possible read someone's story that is radically different than any other I have read ... I come across a story that expands my mind-folder  in which I have filed all the ways God interacts with His children.

"Treasures in Dark Places"  is such a book! 
 (it can be found here)


 It drew me in, it excited me, it deeply inspired me and tore down the walls we all so easily erect to separate this earthly realm from the heavenly.
The author, Leanna Cinquanta, is modern day proof of the truth of Jesus' prophetic words in John 14:12, 
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do because I go to my Father."

Leanna's story, while definitely outside any box,  leaves no doubt in the reader's mind as to it authenticity - the proof is built in.
Leanna holds a paint brush instead of a pen, the words flowing across the page are so rich, that the descriptions she paints draw you into the movie produced in living colour on your mind's screen. Your emotions and your senses are heightened and engaged  - and you are loath to put the book down.

I love this book ... and have read it aloud to my husband - and I have ordered hard copies to give to my grandgirls.
I am not a book spoiler (smile)  so if you desire  a mind-blowing, inspiring read I highly recommend "Treasures in Dark Places."

2 comments:

Judy said...

Thanks for the book recommendation, Julie. I am checking it out.

Anneliese said...

You have me interested! =)