Fresh Perspective

Forgotten God by Francis Chan and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The subtitle of Chan’s book is Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. As you might guess, he challenges readers to seriously examine – and put into practice – what Scripture teaches about the third person of the Trinity. Unbroken is a completely different kind of book. It’s the true story of Louie Zamperini, a World War Two bombardier who survived having his plane crash in the ocean, followed by 47 days on a life raft, only to end up in a brutal Japanese prison camp until the end of the war. The fact that Zamperini lived to tell this story is incredible. One of the ways that I know a book is meaningful is when I continue to think about it after I turn the last page, and that has been true for both of these. Even though Zamperini’s survival story is amazing, the most powerful message of Unbroken is his subsequent decision to follow Christ and his Spirit-led ability to forgive those who tormented him in captivity. By all accounts, Zamperini (who is still alive at age 94) has lived a joy-filled life of service to God since that day at a Billy Graham crusade in 1949. Chan’s book provides a biblical foundation for why this kind of life is possible. Because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our lives should be marked by peace and security and forgiveness, not the stress and anger and impatience of the world. So how have these books shaped my thinking? First, any difficulties that I’m experiencing pale in comparison to Zamperini’s, and any ways that I’ve been offended are nothing relative to the abuse he experienced as a P.O.W. Of course, this reflects the message of the gospel. As Paul says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. …For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (1 Cor. 4:16-17). Second, I’m asking the Holy Spirit to be quick to remind me of this truth at those times when I am sliding toward frustration or bitterness or discouragement or any other kind of pity party. Because of this, I’m learning to have a Spirit-led, fresh perspective on life.]]>