Writings

Jim Cymbala - "The Promise of God's Power"

I am presently preparing for a missions trip to El Salvador in June. This book is required reading for all members of the missions team. Additionally, we are to write a little something on why I think God's power can change lives today. So, I figured my blog would be as good a place as any to publish my thoughts on this inspiring book written by the Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

The Promise of God's Power features several short stories about certain people Cymbala has encountered who have gone through great struggles yet have been transformed by God's power. The book begins with two inspirational stories about people who had overcome drugs, abuse, and other trials to find peace in God's power. The success stories offer the reader hope that God can intervene and cause positive change in anyone's life. While we have many biblical examples to help guide us, often we find it helpful to read of more recent stories such as these with which we can more closely identify. It also helps reassure us that God is still there, changing lives even in the most extreme situations. This book offers the rural reader an informative glimpse into the challenges facing Christians, churches, and ministers in large urban areas. There are things I haven't been exposed to which some people encounter on a regular basis. It is interesting to see how God fits into the equation, and how He can still make a difference in people's lives regardless of the circumstances.

Sandwiched between the thirteen or so real-life stories about either his own experiences or those of others in his congregation are various verses and spiritual notes to re-enforce the themes in the stories. However, this correlation is not directly clear all the time. One is tempted to read quickly over these to get to the next story because that's something new. The book is very short as well as each story. As the book progressed it seemed the author started to run out of stories to tell. Those in the beginning are more dramatic than those in the second half it seems, though not any more relevant. I would have liked it if the author had spent more time developing each story, injecting spiritual anecdotes thorughout to make them more memorable. Instead, the author gives a very short abstract of what happened followed by a few verses and sometimes a paragraph regarding the theme.

Overall, I found the stories pleasant to read. I look at how much some of the people have gone through and realize that I have taken for granted my shielded upbringing. It proves that if God can do great things in their lives, that he can do the same for me and for those I know. The book reminds us that prayer and total reliance on God is crucial to our walk with Him and to furthering His kingdom. It also reminds us that God is always there even though we may not realize it. He may work through us in ways we may never know. It will certainly be interesting one day when we learn to what extent God has worked through us. The extreme situations in this book remind us that God is more powerful than any of them and able to change us no matter how distant we seem.